China has called on the Philippines to ban all online gambling involving Chinese nationals following the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.’s decision to suspend the issuance of licenses to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations applicants.
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Geng Shuang, in a press briefing in Beijing, China, expressed hope that the Philippine government will further strengthen law enforcement with China and “jointly tackle criminal activities including online gambling and cyber fraud.”
“Indeed, we have also taken note of the Philippine government’s announcement and appreciates it. We hope the Philippines will go further and ban all online gambling. We hope it will further strengthen law enforcement with China and jointly tackle criminal activities including online gambling and cyber fraud,” Shuang said.
He pointed out that strengthening law enforcement “will help create an enabling environment for the development of bilateral relations and peace and stability in the region.”
Last Aug. 8, Beijing, through its embassy in Manila, signaled a crackdown on cross-border gambling after alleging that many of its nationals working in the POGO sector were recruited illegally.
Gambling is illegal in China and Chinese nationals who want to gamble must travel overseas or visit special economic zones like Macau.
Since President Duterte assumed power in 2016 and opted to engage closer relations with China, POGO operations have mushroomed in the Philippines, employing thousands of Chinese as workers.
Pagcor ordered the suspension of POGO applications last Monday until all concerns “have been addressed.”
Meanwhile, Malacañang said it will be up to Duterte to decide if the government will ban all online gambling in the country.
Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said he will ask Duterte for his stand on the issue.
“We’ll have to ask the President on his policy on this,” he said. “Hindi natin alam kung may possibility. We’ll have to ask the President,” he added. (Roy Mabasa with a report from Argyll Geducos)
