PH to provide legal aid to 6 OFWs in HK nabbed for allegedly posing as dentists

The Philippines will provide legal aid to six Filipinos who have been arrested in Hong Kong for allegedly posing as dentists.

According to JP Soriano's report on 24 Oras on Thursday, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac said that the Filipinos will be provided legal representation. Visitation rights are also already being arranged for them by the DMW, the Philippine Consulate General, and other Philippine agencies.

The six Filipinos, aged between 34 and 60, were arrested on August 17 by the Hong Kong Immigration Department "for breach of condition of stay by taking up unapproved employment and establishing, or joining in business in Hong Kong; and falsely pretending to be a dentist," according to the Department of Foreign Affairs. 

They had come to Hong Kong to work as domestic helpers, according to their visas and their overseas employment certificates (OECs). For allegedly going into other work outside of what they have been certified for, their actions could fall under "unapproved employment." 

"Umayon lang po doon sa trabaho na 'yon. Huwag na pong mag-moonlight o magtrabaho ng ano pa man na labag sa Hong Kong laws and regulations at sa visa na iginawad sa inyo," Cacdac urged.

A report by the South China Morning Post said the six were suspected of operating an unlicensed dental clinic in a hidden tenement flat in Sham Shui Po, adding there were 13 customers during the arrests. — BM, GMA Integrated News