Pinoy nabbed in Hong Kong showing signs of dementia

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has requested Hong Kong to give full medical examination to a Filipino who was showing signs of dementia by making “grandiose” claims of wealth while under arrest for attempting to withdraw $10 billion using fake documents.

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Eduardo Jose de Vega said the Philippine consulate general relayed the request to Hong Kong authorities to have the 68-year-old man subjected to full medical examination. No other details were given.

“We have been asking for him to be given a mental examination,” De Vega told The STAR.

De Vega said the other Filipino arrested, a 38-year-old woman, managed to post bail and return to the Philippines. But she has to return to Hong Kong on March 12.

The two Filipinos have been charged for using forged documents when they attempted to withdraw $10 billion from a Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corp. (HSBC) branch.

Report said Ramon Revillosa Jr. and the 38-year-old woman, who claimed to be a lawyer, allegedly presented a forged capability letter, a guarantee letter and certificate of balance to the HSBC to withdraw the funds on Feb. 10.

De Vega said the Filipinos were allowed to engage a private attorney even if they were entitled to a public Hong Kong lawyer.

Police also arrested three suspected accomplices: a Malaysian man, a Taiwanese man and a woman who used a Hong Kong and Macau travel permit to enter Hong Kong.