In response to the increase in kidnappings of Chinese citizens, the Philippine presidential office said on December 23 that the Philippine government is strictly enforcing the law on the Philippine offshore gambling industry (POGOs), and Philippine Senate member Villanueva said that the kidnapping of Chinese offshore gaming workers shows that the negative impact of the industry on the country outweighs its benefits.
At a press conference at the Presidential Palace, The Philippines Bannillo also said: "Our laws will cover all conceivable situations or events related to the Offshore Gaming industry in the Philippines." So, all we have to do is execute it. In fact, they are enforcing the law. ”
According to data records from the Philippine National Police-Anti-Kidnapping Brigade, from January to November 2019, there were 6 kidnappings "related to offshore gambling in the Philippines". Earlier, Benilo had said that the presidential office would leave it up to Congress to decide the "life and death" of the Philippine offshore gambling industry in the Philippines. Last month, President Duterte set a three-day deadline for Filipino offshore gaming operators (POGOs) in arrears, requiring them to meet their tax obligations and warning those who do not comply with the orders to face sanctions.
Since 2016, the Philippines has begun to issue more licenses to support the development of the gaming industry, and more than 50 offshore gaming operators have obtained licenses. According to Philippine regulators, the revenue of the Philippine offshore gaming industry is expected to reach 9 billion pesos (about $172 million) in 2019. Currently, there are about 138,000 employees in the Philippine gaming industry, most of whom are from China, and from January to November 2019, there have been 6 kidnappings involving Chinese employees related to the offshore gaming industry, and 8/9 of the victims have been rescued or found.
In recent years, the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines has repeatedly reminded Chinese citizens to beware of gambling traps and protect their legitimate rights and interests from infringement. The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines pointed out that online gambling companies often publish false recruitment information because of the illegal nature of gambling in China, such as calling themselves online game companies, saying that the positions they are recruiting are network promotion, telephone customer service, office clerks, etc. And promised preferential treatment, lure Chinese citizens to the Philippines for employment, such as free air tickets, free visas, free food and accommodation, etc., the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines reminded Chinese citizens not to come to the Philippines to engage in online gambling work.
General: Philippine World Journal, Philippine Island Express, Observer Network
Editor: Qin Lei