{
  "id": 11465927,
  "title": "2 Hongkongers held in Philippines for months after prison terms end",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/2-hongkongers-held-in-philippines-for-months-after-prison-terms-end",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-02T15:07:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "South China Morning Post - Hong Kong",
    "slug": "south-china-morning-post-hong-kong",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3369629/2-hongkongers-held-philippines-months-after-prison-terms-end"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Two Hongkongers, Cheung and Ng, have been held in Philippine prisons for months after their prison sentences ended, according to the Immigration Department. The two men were originally arrested on drug-related offenses in 2000 and 2001, and served 26-year and 40-year sentences respectively. Both men were deported in March and June, but have remained in the country waiting to complete the identity confirmation process. Cheung had his fingerprints taken for the first time after six months, while Ng had his taken six or seven times without acceptance. The two men were arrested in 2000 and 2001 respectively and completed their sentences, but have been held in immigration facilities awaiting their release. Paul Tse Wai-chun, a former lawmaker, expressed concern over the situation on social media and appealed for their early return. The Immigration Department is actively working with the Chinese embassy in the Philippines to resolve the cases and ensure their safe return to Hong Kong.",
  "summary": "The Chinese embassy in Manila has expressed concern over the cases of two Hongkongers who have remained in custody in the Philippines for months despite being discharged from prison, according to the Immigration Department. The department confirmed on Friday night that it was handling the two cases following an appeal from a former lawmaker and a Hong Kong man who returned to the city on Tuesday…",
  "key_points": [
    "Two Hongkongers, Cheung and Ng, held in Philippine prisons post-sentences.",
    "Arrested in 2000 and 2001 for drug offenses, served 26 and 40 years.",
    "Held in immigration facilities awaiting identity confirmation release."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post",
        "title": "2 Hongkongers held in Philippines for months after prison terms end",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/2-hongkongers-held-in-philippines-for-months-after-prison-terms-end-11465947",
        "published": "2026-10-02T15:07:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}