Woman accused of meeting another person outside Lucky Plaza during circuit breaker, attacking police

SINGAPORE — A woman is accused of meeting another person for shopping and beer outside Lucky Plaza mall during the circuit breaker period to combat Covid-19 last year.

When the police approached her, she allegedly used force on them and cursed at them, continuing her violence when taken to the Police Cantonment Complex.

Philippine national Ong Rica Mae Icamina, 41, was handed seven charges earlier this month. These include meeting another individual not from her household for a non-permitted purpose as well as using criminal force and abusive words on a public servant.

At her charging on Dec 6, she said that she did not know what to do and would be seeking legal advice.

Ong returned to court on Monday (Dec 27) for a further mention of her case. The court heard that she would be applying for legal help under the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme.

Based on charge sheets, Ong allegedly met another person named Quirog Juliet Saragena outside Lucky Plaza at about 5.50pm on May 31 last year. At the time, the circuit breaker banning non-essential outings to curb the spread of Covid-19 was still in place.

Ong allegedly met Quirog to shop and drink beer, which was not a permitted purpose under Covid-19 regulations. 

About five minutes later, Ong allegedly grabbed a police sergeant's hand outside Lucky Plaza.

She was taken to Police Cantonment Complex that same evening, when she is accused of cursing at police officers. She purportedly said "your mother is a whore" in Tagalog at a female sergeant and tried to punch her.

She is also said to have tried to kick the same officer and cursed at a male officer before shouting aggressively and ordering them to release her handcuffs.

Ong will return to court in January. 

If convicted of breaking a Covid-19 regulation, she could be jailed for up to six months or fined up to S$10,000, or punished with both.

For using criminal force on a public servant, she could be jailed for up to four years or fined, or given both penalties.

For using abusive words against a public servant, she could receive a jail term of up to a year or a fine of up to S$5,000, or both. CNA

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