Up to 4,000 Chinese nationals working in the Philippines are expected to be deported by the middle of the month as government officials continue their crackdown on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), according to the Department of Justice.
The crackdown began last month following reports of kidnappings and other “illegal POGO-related crimes,” said Alejandro Tengco, newly appointed head of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR). Tengco, appointed by new president Ferdinand Marcos Jr., replaced Andrea Domingo as chair and CEO of the state-run gaming regulator.
“What is alarming are videos and pictures circulating on social media about murder, kidnapping and prostitution in POGOs,” said DOJ spokesman Mico Clavano. “The direction … is to make sure our Filipino citizens are secure in their lives and it mustn’t reach a point that even Filipinos become victims.”
The Philippine News Agency reports that, as of September 14, PAGCOR had revoked the permits of 175 POGOs. In aggregate, the operations employed around 40,000 Chinese nationals.
PAGCOR recently said there are now 30 licensed POGOs in the country, compared to dozens that were operational before the pandemic.
The Chinese embassy in Manila supports the deportation and crackdown on POGO-related crimes, and said Beijing “firmly opposes and takes tough measures to combat gambling.”
Clavano said the Philippine government is anxious to maintain good relations with Beijing, which bars its citizens from engaging in online gambling. “Our relationship with China, we have to take care of, so we’re working together, coordinating with the Chinese government to ensure that these Chinese nationals are being cared for,” he said.
Meanwhile, real estate property consultant David Leechiu said a complete shutdown of POGOs could mean losses of PHP190 billion (US$3.23 billion) a year for the Philippine economy, adding up office and residential rentals, income taxes, utility bills, wages and regulatory revenues.
