China urges PH to end offshore gambling

CHINA on Friday urged Philippine authorities to address offshore gambling involving Chinese citizens fairly and effectively. "We urge the Philippines to completely eradicate the scourge inflicted by offshore gambling as soon as possible. China stands ready to work with the Philippines to combat crimes jointly, and we also call on the Philippines to conduct law enforcement justly and ensure the legitimate and lawful rights and interests of Chinese nationals in the Philippines," Guo Jiakun, a spokesman for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said. The statement was issued after the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (Paocc) reported on Thursday that their operatives arrested over 450 individuals, including 137 Chinese citizens, in a raid on an allegedly Chinese-run offshore gaming operator in Manila. Initial interrogations revealed that the suburban location operated as a scam center, targeting victims in China and India with fraudulent sports betting and investment schemes. Citing the risks associated with Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs), President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued Executive Order (EO) 74 on Nov. 5, 2024, which imposes an immediate ban on offshore and internet gaming in the country.