"This should also allay fears among Filipinos that the Chinese government tolerates the involvement of its nationals in gambling overseas."
"This should also allay fears among Filipinos that the Chinese government tolerates the involvement of its nationals in gambling overseas."The proliferation in recent years of Philippine offshore gaming operators or POGOs employing mainly Chinese nationals has raised serious concern among Filipinos. The issue is that thousands of Chinese are working here illegally and taking away jobs from locals, with not a few exhibiting rude behavior.
Last week, the Chinese Embassy broke its silence on the issue by coming out with an official statement.
At the outset, the embassy said it viewed with “grave concern” the announcement by a top official of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) that Chinese working in POGOs would be transferred to “self-contained” communities or hubs. This, it said, “may infringe on the basic legal rights of the Chinese citizens concerned.” It called on the Philippine government to “effectively protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens in the Philippines.”
The statement also tackled other key points on the issue.
One, the Chinese government requires its citizens overseas to abide by local laws and regulations and to refrain from working illegally in other countries. The Chinese Embassy in Manila has also issued consular reminders in this regard, and clearly stated this position to the proper Philippine agencies.
Two, Chinese laws and regulations consider illegal any form of gambling by its citizens, including online gambling, gambling overseas, and opening of casinos overseas to attract Chinese as primary customers. A large number of Chinese nationals has been illegally hired in the Philippine gambling industry. In many cases, the employers of these gambling entities do not apply for necessary legal work permits for their Chinese employees. Some Chinese nationals are even lured into working illegally even if they only have tourist visas.
Three, the operations of Philippine casinos, POGOs and other gambling entities targeting Chinese customers have resulted in a huge amount of Chinese funds flowing illegally into the Philippines through cross-border money laundering via underground banking, which undermines China’s financial supervision. The Chinese government estimates that gambling-related funds from China flowing into the Philippines amounts to hundreds of millions of Chinese yuan (renminbi) every year.
Four, the fact that many Chinese are lured into illegal gambling, has led to in an increase in crimes and social problems in China. For instance, gambling-related crimes and telecom fraud are closely connected, causing huge losses to the victims and their families. Chinese nationals working illegally in Philippine gambling entities are also subjected to a form of “modern slavery” due to severe limitation of their personal freedom. Their passports are taken away or confiscated by their employers. They are confined to live and work in certain designated places and some of them have been victims of extortion, kidnapping, physical abuse and torture and even murder.
Five, the Chinese Government has begun a crackdown on cross-border gambling activities. It has started monitoring of “underground banks” and online payment platforms that facilitate cross-border gambling, as well as domestic network operators and companies that provide technical support to them.
Six, China will subject to criminal liability Chinese nationals involved in gambling overseas. The Chinese Embassy has already warned Chinese companies or individuals in the Philippines to immediately stop illegal activities; otherwise, they will be punished in accordance with Chinese law.
And finally, China called on the Philippine Government to take effective measures against illegal employment of Chinese nationals in gambling entities and to crack down on crimes committed against them. It also urged the Philippine government to strengthen law enforcement cooperation with China and to jointly combat gambling-related crimes and to protect the rights and welfare of Chinese nationals in the country.
This official statement is timely and appropriate as it clarifies the stand of Beijing on the gambling issue. It should also allay fears among Filipinos that the Chinese government tolerates the involvement of its nationals in gambling overseas. Let’s wait and see what happens from hereon.
Justice for Maguindanao massacre victims
The long wait for justice by the families of the 58 victims of the Maguindanao massacre that took place on November 23, 2009 may soon be over.
The good news from the Justice Department is that the case may be decided before the 10th year of the massacre in November this year.
The trial, held under the jurisdiction of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC), started on September 8, 2010, or 10 months after the attack, and was finally completed only on July 17 this year. The parties were given until August 15 to submit their respective memorandum or written summation, after which the case shall be considered as submitted for decision.
The families of the massacre victims, including 32 media practitioners, will no doubt welcome what is expected to be a guilty verdict for those charged for the grisly murders. At the same time, there will be the usual lament over the length of time it takes for our courts to decide on cases. But a guilty verdict in this particular case will offer a glimmer of hope that justice can still be within reach despite the excruciatingly slow pace of court proceedings in our country.
ernhil@yahoo.com
