The Government of China and the Philippine Department of Justice (DOJ) have agreed to work together to strengthen law enforcement cooperation in fighting Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator- (POGO) related crimes involving some Chinese nationals.
Representatives from the Chinese Embassy on Thursday, Sept. 22, met face-to-face with DOJ officials to discuss issues regarding reported undocumented Chinese nationals working in some POGO establishments in the country.
Some of them are now under the custody of the authorities and are expected to be deported.
“Ito po ‘yung mga nahuli po, naaresto na mga foreign national nitong recent operation po ng NBI [National Bureau of Investigation], assisted by the Bureau of Immigration (BI),” BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval said.
“Nagkaroon po tayo ng fingerprinting at biometrics capturing dito po sa mga foreign national na ito the other day, para makita po ang kanilang identities at makita po ang kanilang documentations,” she added.
DOJ Spokesperson ASec. Mico Clavano said the coordination with China will help in resolving the issue.
“There must be a coordinated effort between the two countries to bring them back to China given that they have no more basis to stay here in the Philippines,” he said.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian also exchanged messages in the past days regarding the issue.
“The Chinese side stands ready to step up law enforcement cooperation with the Philippine side so as to protect the safety and legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens in the Philippines,” the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines said.
“The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines will continue to strengthen communication and cooperation with the Philippine government and law enforcement agencies in particular in this regard, and handle deportation among other issues in a constructive manner,” it added. -Report from Mela Lesmoras/KC-ag
