Flags of the Philippines (left) and China (right). INQUIRER.net stock images
MANILA, Philippines — China expressed readiness in intensifying its law enforcement cooperation with the Philippines, which intends to deport workers of Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogo), who are mostly Chinese nationals, amid an alleged spate of kidnapping incidents.
The deportation of about 40,000 Pogo workers will start this October, according to the Department of Justice.
“The Chinese side stands ready to step up law enforcement cooperation with the Philippine side so as to well protect the safety and legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens in the Philippines,” the Chinese Embassy in Manila told reporters in a message on Tuesday.
“The Chinese side welcomes the Philippine side to take strong measures to crack down on crimes related to Pogos, and tackle its root cause so as to address the social ills in a sweeping manner,” it added.
READ: POGO summary deportations to begin – DOJ chief
READ: DOJ aims to deport at least 2,000 Pogo workers by mid-October
The Chinese embassy lamented that crimes linked to online gambling hurt both the interests of the Philippines and China and their ties.
“Crimes induced by and associated with online gambling not only harm China’s interests and China-Philippines relations, but also hurt the interests of the Philippines,” it noted.
Under China’s laws and regulations, any form of gambling by Chinese citizens is illegal.
Hence, the Chinese embassy expressed appreciation for the Philippine government’s efforts to shut down a number of Pogo firms and rescue Chinese citizens.
READ: POGO shut down after rescue of 43 Chinese
For 2022, the collection from Pogos is projected to reach P32 billion. However, the government has only collected P3 billion to date.
RELATED STORIES
Pogo revenue slump blamed on ‘change in environment’ — Diokno
‘Is it worth it?’: Zubiri says social costs of Pogos, meager revenue must be weighed