The Hong Kong government has been claiming how safe Hong Kong is since the implementation of the National Security Law, but citizens feel differently. Netizens questioned if the National Security Law had made Hong Kong safer and less chaotic.
The public is growing concerned for their safety as there has been an increasing number of crimes, including armed robbery in Hong Kong recently.
A 51 years old man was kidnapped and murdered in Ping Yeung Old Village, Ta Kwu Ling. The victim’s body was found in the rural village a little over a week later. On Sep 14, the Hong Kong Police apprehended two males surnamed Chan, aged 29 and 64, on one count of murder.
Crimes or Terrorism?
Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung mentioned previously that the overall crime rates in Hong Kong remain “stable.” However, Tang said it is still vital to stay alert during the time of peace and prevent lone wolf crimes and local terrorism.
When Missing Person Became Murder
On Sep 5, a woman reported a missing person. Local authorities began an investigation. According to media reports, the missing person, Cheung, was seen leaving his apartment in Fanling on security footage and was last seen dining in a restaurant nearby.
On Sep 5, Cheung from the Ping Yeung Old Village said she could not locate her husband after searching everywhere. Mrs. Cheung then contacted the Police and filed a missing person case. Mrs. Cheung said her husband, a 51- year-old male Mr. Cheung, disappeared around Sep 5 and was never seen again.
Retrieving The Body
The Police dispatched the New Territories North Police Tactical Unit (PTU) and many police officers to search along the mountainside of the Ping Yeung Village on Sep 14.
On Sep 15, at around 4:00 p.m., Police units finally found the victim’s body on a hillside next to Kwan Tai Temple in the village. The victim was buried in a hole 30 cm (11.8 inches) below the ground. The deceased was first covered with a layer of cement, followed by a layer of sand.
Forensics arrived at the crime scene for preliminary examination and found the victim’s head and hands were bound with tapes. There were wounds on the left side caused by stabbing by a hard and sharp object.
The victim was estimated to have been dead for 8 to 10 days. However, the cause of death could only be confirmed after the autopsy and toxicology tests. The murder weapon was still missing as of Sep 27.
Police Roundup
On Sep 15 at 9:00 p.m., Hong Kong Police Senior Superintendent Chan Kong-ming of the New Territories North Criminal Headquarters met with reporters to explain the case.Chan said the Police received a report of a missing person on Sep 5. A wife claimed she had lost contact with her husband after he went for lunch in the afternoon. “The wife, Mrs. Cheung, received unknown calls and messages in the evening and demanded HK$3.6 million (US$458,600) to pay off her husband’s debt. Mrs. Cheung reported to the Police the same evening.
The senior superintendent believed the victim was taken to the Kwan Tai Temple to negotiate his debt. Then he was attacked and stabbed by sharp objects.
Chen continued, “After the attack, the perpetrators took the opportunity to extort ransom from the victim’s family.” Chen also pointed out the two male suspects have been detained for investigations.”
Chen said the two suspects have been captured and charged with one count of murder. They were taken to Fanling Magistrates’ Courts for a hearing. As to whether anyone else is involved, the Police said they would follow the direction of the amount and types of debt. The Police did not rule out additional charges of extortion later.
Cheng also explained that the Police had escorted the two male suspects to the crime scene for crime reconstruction. The 29-year-old male was chained and covered with an overhead bag at around 6:00 p.m.
Villagers Worry
A Ping Yeung Villager, Mrs. Chan, expressed her shock at the murder. Mrs. Chan has been living in the village for over a decade. “It has always been very safe here. We don’t see many strangers. I can walk around safely even late at night,” she said.Another villager, Ms. Leung was in dismay when she heard the news, “Although the village has been pretty safe, I am quite worried as security seems to worsen,” she said.
The court case was adjourned until Dec 9. The defendants, 64 years old Chan Wah-hing and 29 years old Chan Yiu-lung are under the custody of the Correctional Service Department.
