The Philippine government promised to give legal help to six Filipinos who were recently arrested in Hong Kong for allegedly pretending to be dentists.
According to a report on 24 Oras by JP Soriano, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac said the government will make sure these Filipinos have lawyers to defend them in court. He also said that the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the Philippine Consulate General, and other agencies are already arranging visits and support for the arrested workers.
The six Filipinos, aged 34 to 60 years old, were caught on August 17 by the Hong Kong Immigration Department. They were accused of breaking their visa rules by:
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Doing jobs not approved by their visas
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Starting or joining a business illegally in Hong Kong
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Pretending to be dentists without licenses
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed the arrests and explained that these Filipinos originally came to Hong Kong as domestic helpers, based on their visas and Overseas Employment Certificates (OECs). But since they were allegedly doing other kinds of work outside what was allowed, authorities considered this as “unapproved employment.”
Secretary Cacdac reminded Filipinos abroad:
“Stick to the work written on your contract. Do not take other jobs that are against Hong Kong laws and your visa conditions.”
Meanwhile, the South China Morning Post reported that the six Filipinos were believed to be running an unlicensed dental clinic in a hidden flat in Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong. During the police operation, authorities even found 13 customers inside.
The case has shocked many people, raising questions about how overseas workers face struggles abroad, why some risk illegal work, and how far the Philippine government can go in protecting its citizens when they get into legal trouble overseas.
