The Chinese government has offered help to the Philippine government in cracking down on the crimes related to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), the Chinese Embassy in Manila announced on Wednesday, Sept. 21.

In a statement, the Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian said that the Chinese government is ready to step up law enforcement cooperation with the country.

This offered help was made after Xilian met Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla to discuss a joint action in resolving illegal activities and deportation issues.

“The Chinese government firmly opposes and takes tough measures to combat gambling,” he said.

The ambassador stressed that online gambling or overseas gambling by Chinese citizens is illegal based on Chinese law and regulations.

Earlier, local law enforcement agencies had shut down POGO facilities that are operating illegally and involved with human trafficking and kidnapping. Several Chinese nationals were also rescued during the operations.

“Crimes induced by and associated with online gambling not only harm China’s interests and China-Philippines relations but also hurt the interests of the Philippines,” Xillian 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,” he further said.

Senators have called for the ban of POGO operations following reports of abduction and killings.

Senator Risa Hontiveros, who has been pushing for the suspension of POGO since 2020, renewed her call to disallow the resumption of POGO operations by filing Senate Resolution 368.

Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva filed Senate Bill 1281, or “Anti-Gambling Act” which seeks to ban all forms of online gambling.