Four HK Men To Appeal Life Terms In Philippines

The four Hong Kong men sentenced to life in prison in the Philippines last year for possessing drugs, have decided to appeal their convictions.

Their decision comes after a court in Manila dismissed their judicial review applications, saying there is sufficient evidence to prove them guilty.

The four Hong Kong fishermen were arrested in Subic Bay in the Philippines in July 2016, after a raid on what officials there called a “floating crystal meth laboratory”.

They had repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and insisted that the case was a set-up.

The authorities said the drugs were found in a backpack belonging to one of the men. Officials also said that methamphetamine was placed in floating containers and thrown from a boat into the sea to be collected later by gang members.

Democratic Party legislator James To, who has been helping the men and their families, said at the time the backpack, which appeared to be empty when a TV crew was filming, was only later said to have contained the drugs. By Hong Kong standards, he said, this would probably have led to the acquittal of the four men.

On Thursday To urged the central and Hong Kong governments to express their concerns over the case, and demand a fair trial.