"It goes beyond the issue of crime."
It's welcome news that the Philippine National Police will set up special complaints desks for Chinese nationals victimized by crime in the country. This is a growing concern for the general public.
Newly-designated PNP Chief General Archie Gamboa announced the move on the heels of the increased cases of crimes involving Chinese nationals, including kidnapping for ransom, extortion, illegal drugs trafficking, human trafficking, and prostitution.
The establishment of the Chinese complaints desks simply means that police assistance becomes more accessible to the Chinese anywhere and anytime they are here.
Apparently, the need for a more systematic procedure in dealing with Chinese cases has risen not only due to the rampant kidnappings but also in view of the massive influx of Chinese migrants into the country, coming in droves over the past decade or so as “tourists.” Many have also chosen to stay and work or engage in business in here.
Notably, the crime spree that hogged the headlines caused alarm among Metro Manila residents as the abductions turned out to be perpetrated by Chinese groups themselves, organized kidnap-for-ransom gangs or loan shark hitmen.
Authorities have also uncovered a widespread network of prostitution catering to the Chinese clientele, victimizing trafficked women from China and remote areas in the Philippines.
In numerous cases, notorious Chinese mafias have likewise been found involved in wide-scale illegal drugs trafficking in the country. In the past, arrested Chinese drug lords had been given VIP treatment in jail until they "disappeared."
Needless to say, the PNP and other law enforcement authorities must keep up the good intelligence work they’ve been doing amid the burgeoning arrival of Chinese in the country. To their credit, Beijing authorities have coordinated and helped in the arrest of Chinese fugitives and seizure of smuggled illegal drugs, particularly "shabu" in the country.
Unfortunately, the nagging issue of Chinese migration from mainland China goes beyond the rampant incidence of crime involving Chinese nationals.
Chinese tourists-turned-laborers have been reportedly given preferences in employment in Chinese-backed construction projects in the country, jobs that millions of unemployed Filipinos could have secured.
It seems that the multiple agencies that grant all sorts of dubious visas have actually lost track of precise tally of Chinese migrants in our country. In fact, protection racket for undocumented Chinese aliens had been a source of wealth for corrupt immigration authorities, especially in the past administrations.
Perhaps, Congress should take another look into this serious matter.