13 Pinoys arrested in HK for stun guns

By SAMMY JULIAN
Manila News Bureau Chief

MANILA – In the first quarter of 2014, 13 Filipinos were arrested and convicted in Hong Kong for carrying stun guns.

This prompted the Philippine Consulate General in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) to initiate an information campaign reminding all Filipino travelers transiting or entering Hong Kong as visitors, workers or residents to avoid bringing restricted or prohibited materials, particularly stun devices like stun guns, tear gas, bullets, extendible batons, flick knives and knuckle busters in their hand-carried or checked-in luggage.

The Consulate General said bringing such devices into the territory has been outlawed and prohibited under Hong Kong’s Firearms and Ammunition Ordinance.

Those caught bringing these restricted or prohibited stun devices are charged with Possession of Other Arms without License under the Firearms and Ammunition Ordinance.

If found guilty, they will be fined HK$100,000 and/or a maximum sentence of 14 years imprisonment.

In 2012, 57 Filipinos were arrested and imprisoned for carrying restricted or prohibited stun devices in their hand-carried bags and checked-in luggage.

In 2013, 68 were arrested and convicted for the same offense.

“The Hong Kong authorities are very strict in enforcing the above ordinance,” the Consulate General said. “All hand-carried and checked-in luggage of all passengers are subjected to strict security screening at all airport terminals in Hong Kong SAR.”/PN