Pinay owner of HK travel agency in flight booking mess arrested


Hong Kong police have arrested the Filipina co-owner of Peya Travel, the agency that allegedly failed to book flights for hundreds of OFWs returning home to the Philippines for the holidays.
Rhea Donna Boyce was brought to a police station while several computers from her firm's main office were seized by the authorities, GMA News stringer Corazon Cañete reported on Balitanghali on Tuesday.
Police suspect more individuals are connected to Peya Travel, but only Boyce and her husband, Peter Bryan Boyce, were listed as the agency's official owners.
Boyce's husband as well as other officers of the agency may also face arrest if proven they were involved in the incident.
South China Morning Post reported that Boyce was arrested on Monday for conspiracy to defraud. Police hauled Boyce in earlier for questioning but failed to receive any answers from the Filipina.
A total of 645 OFWs filed complaints against Peya for failing to book flights with an estimated total worth of HK$2 million.
OFWs who have yet to give their statements regarding the case were encouraged to do so with the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong.
The report Filipinos have been experiencing difficulties with Peya Travel since May. These issues were only exposed to the public after the agency stopped issuing refunds starting December 17.
Boyce, a known figure in the Filipino community in Hong Kong, also allegedly failed to pay HK$3 million to an unknown man who owned another company. She refused to speak with the media and, through her lawyer, refused dialogue with the Philippine Embassy. —Rie Takumi/KBK, GMA News

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