CHINA is concerned about the great number of its nationals detained in the Philippines and urged Manila to settle their cases “without delay.”
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang made the statement after some 1,200 Chinese nationals involved in illegal online gambling were arrested on Nov. 24.
“We are highly concerned about the Philippine side’s detention of a large number of Chinese citizens. We will continue to monitor closely the development of the situation, keep in touch with the Philippine side, and urge the Philippine side to properly settle the matter without delay,” Geng said.
There was no immediate available comment from the Philippine side.
Geng said soon after the arrest, the Chinese Embassy sent its officials to the detention center.
Chinese officials, Geng said, have required the Philippine authority to “properly settle the detained personnel.”
He said some Chinese nationals have been deported while the rest have been waiting for verification.
“After learning about the incident, the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines immediately sent officials to the site overnight, requiring the Philippines to properly settle the [cases of the] detained personnel, speed up the identity verification progress, release people who have legal identity with no delay, take concrete measures to protect the safety and provide humanitarian treatment to personnel involved, and handle the case in a timely and just manner according to law,” he said.
He then called on all Chinese nationals abroad to live and work in accordance with the local laws and regulations and avoid to participating in any illegal activity.
“The Chinese government always requires its citizens abroad to live and work in accordance with local laws and regulations, not to participate or engage in activities that may impair their own rights and interests, such as gambling,” he said.