Seven Filipinos convicted in Singapore

Seven Filipinos, who have admitted before a Singaporean court to stealing gold chains from a jewellery shop, have been sentenced to varying prison terms.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in Manila said yesterday the Filipino tourists were found guilty of stealing 206 gold chains worth $25,000 from a jewellery store located in Singapore's prime shopping district last June.

The Philippines embassy in Singapore identified them as Alejandra Sarmiento Basa, Arle Ducay, Juan Masidto Jasmin, Bayani Buendia Cruz, Roberto Conrado Plarizan, Celso Baylon Punala and Gregorio Alfredo Lino.

They are now detained at Queenstown Remand Prison. Prison terms may be reduced if they show good behaviour, according to embassy sources.

Basa and Ducay will serve four years in prison. On the other hand, Jasmin and Cruz who were previously convicted by a Singaporean court for the same offence several years ago, will serve two years and six months in prison along with Plarizan.

Punala and Lino will serve a prison term of one year and six months.

Based on police reports, the seven entered the Royal Dragon Jewellery Shop at Jurong point shopping centre on June 16 to buy gold items. They stole the entire jewellery tray containing 206 gold chains while the store's security cameras recorded the act.

The shop owner reported the incident to the police, prompting a raid on a hotel in Singapore's Geylang district where the suspects were arrested on June 17. The Filipinos pleaded guilty during a court hearing citing they were forced to steal because they had to raise money for their families in the Philippines.