Family seeks help after Hongkonger held in Philippines despite finishing jail time

The family of Hong Kong man Tang Lung-wai, who has been imprisoned in the Philippines for over two decades, is seeking assistance from city authorities. Despite a court ruling that he has completed his 40-year sentence, Tang remains in custody. Arrested in 2000 for methamphetamine possession and convicted in 2011, the court recently acknowledged that his sentence had been fully served, considering good conduct time.

However, Tang's family insists he is still in prison, facing substantial administrative hurdles before his deportation. Judge Abraham Joseph Alcantara of the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court ordered his release and deportation to the Bureau of Immigration on July 30, citing that Tang had served 40 years, one month, and thirteen days, surpassing the imposed sentence.

An administrative error earlier had indicated he had only served 39 years and four months. Tang's brother, Billy Tang Lung-piu, expressed concern for his safety in prison and highlighted the need for a thorough immigration process post-release. He has contacted the Hong Kong Immigration Department, which stated it would assist upon receiving updates on the case.

The Philippine consulate in Hong Kong acknowledged the family's concerns and promised to relay them to relevant Philippine authorities. In 2018, then-Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor had written to the then-Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to expedite the search for records supporting Tang's innocence. Despite these efforts, Tang lost his final appeal against his conviction in 2020.