Here’s Reason Why Hong Kong Police Seizes Over 1,000 OFW Passports
HONG KONG – Find out the reason why the Hong Kong authorities seized over 1000 Philippine passports.
In the Philippines, people who have something to collateral are not afraid to loan some money to a pawnshop or their friends.
Most of the things that they put into collateral may be their cars, jewelry, lot titles, or even house.
It’s easier to make loans in our own country, but what if we’re in a foreign country? Will foreigners help us without violating the law?
Meanwhile, there are alleged illegal money lenders who accept passports used as collaterals. Pawning of passports violates the Republic Act 8283 or the Philippine Passport Act.
Based on a report from ABS-CBN, over 1000 Philippine passports owned by OFW’s was confiscated in Hong Kong.
Philippine Consul General in Hong Kong, Antonio Morales, said these Filipino workers pawned their passports to an illegal money lender.
“Nasa 1,400 pasaporte ang kanilang ipinirenda sa isang nagpapautang sa ating mga kababayan. Nahuli ng pulis at kinuha ‘yung 1,400 passports,” said Morales.
According to the report the 904 Filipino passports were returned to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) while the others were given a new passport and travel documents.
The authorities in said the illegal money lender is from Hong Kong. However, they did not give further details about the suspect.
Based on the report, the OFW who pawned their passport will surely face the consequences given by the Philippine government said, Morales.
For the first offense, the passport of will automatically be canceled and will only be given 5 years validity of he/she wants to apply again for a new passport.
On the second offense, the government agency will only give one-way pass returning to the Philippines.
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