Hong Kong man returns home after 26 years in Philippine prison

Tang Lung-wai, a Hong Kong man imprisoned in the Philippines for 26 years, returned home on Tuesday after his sentence was commuted and his deportation arranged. Tang, 55, was arrested in Manila in July 2000 for possessing methamphetamine. He was convicted in 2011 and given a life sentence, which in the Philippines carries a maximum term of 40 years.

A Manila court ruled in July that his sentence should be commuted because of his good conduct and ordered his immediate release and deportation. His departure was delayed for about two months by severe weather and administrative procedures. Tang said he felt free when he was released from custody and was grateful to return physically healthy.

He was taken from an immigration facility near New Bilibid Prison to the airport, where a Chinese embassy representative met him before his flight. Three Hong Kong immigration officers accompanied him. Tang recalled changing from his prison uniform into civilian clothes and said the moment made him feel that he was no longer an inmate.

He had maintained his innocence for years, arguing that he was not in the Philippines when surveillance connected him to the offence. Records later indicated he was not there during the period identified by local police, although the Philippine Supreme Court dismissed his final appeal in 2020. Tang plans to rest, visit the graves of his parents and grandparents and reunite with his family.

He hopes to obtain a Hong Kong driving licence and work as a driver or delivery worker, while seeking public housing for a single person. Former legislator and lawyer Paul Tse, who assisted him for years, described the detention as wrongful and said he would continue helping Tang reintegrate into society. Tang also thanked officials, diplomats, former leaders, the media and others who supported his case.