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    Two Filipinos who tried to secure a visit visa from the Japanese Consulate in Hong Kong by using false instruments and forged Hong Kong identity cards, pleaded guilty to a number of charges at the District Court today (April 26).

    The Immigration Department said the case was adjourned to May 10, 2005, for sentence. The defendants were remanded in custody.

    Carrido George Laguesma, was charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud the local Japanese Consulate, two counts of possession of forged identity cards, one count of possessing equipment for making false instruments and one count of possessing false instruments with intent. He pleaded guilty to all his charges. His 33-year-old client, David Reynaldo Jr. Gumamit pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the local Japanese Consulate.

    The court was told that in November, 2004, David submitted an application for Japanese Visit Visa at the local consulate by producing his Philippine passport, Hong Kong identity card and other supporting documents. As his identity card and the visa label contained in the passport were suspected to be forged, Immigration investigators then took over the case.

    Investigators intercepted Carrido when he approached the consulate to collect David's visa. David's passport and Hong Kong identity card together with other suspected forged Philippine passports and Hong Kong identity cards were seized. He was then arrested for further inquiries.

    During a premises search at a hotel, five forged Hong Kong identity cards, three Hong Kong visa labels, three Hong Kong Immigration arrival and departure stamp facings, three Philippines passports, 31 forged visa stickers and 12 immigration stamp facings of various Asian countries were found. Moreover, fake bank passbooks, company letters and name cards were found in Carrido's possession.

    Carrido admitted that he arranged illegal documents for Filipinos to procure visas for Japan and other Asian countries for monetary reward. David admitted that the documents were arranged by Carrido to facilitate his application for Japanese visa and he knew the documents were false.

    Under the laws of Hong Kong, anyone convicted of conspiracy to defraud is liable to imprisonment for 14 years.

    It is also an offence to be in possession of a forged identity card. Offenders are liable to prosecution and, upon conviction, the maximum penalty will be a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for 10 years.

Ends/Tuesday, April 26, 2005

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