China embassy, PAOCC to cooperate in POGO crackdown

The Philippines and China have committed to strengthen the fight against transnational crimes as the Marcos administration sustains its campaign to dismantle illegal offshore gambling hubs in the country.

- HELEN FLORES

The commitment was made at a meeting between Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian on Monday at Malacañang.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), chaired by Bersamin, said China expressed its appreciation for the recent actions taken by Philippine law enforcement authorities to counter illegal offshore gambling and to rescue several Chinese nationals.

PAOCC chief Gilbert Cruz told “Storycon” on One News yesterday that the two countries agreed to help each other and strengthen “intelligence sharing and joint operations” involving Philippine offshore gaming operators or POGOs.

“The main objective is to dismantle the criminal syndicates hiding behind POGOs. The Philippines will support all these actions,” said Cruz, who was at the Palace meeting.

He said Huang vowed that China will be “pro-active” in helping the Philippines in its fight against illegal POGO operations.

The Chinese embassy, the PAOCC said, has been actively collaborating and maintaining open communication channels with their Philippine counterparts in the operations against illegal POGOs.

“This mutual support demonstrates the commitment and determination of both countries to curb transnational organized crime effectively,” it said.

“The strengthened cooperation between the two countries sends a clear message to criminal syndicates operating across borders that their malicious activities will not be tolerated nor allowed to undermine the security and stability of these nations,” the PAOCC said.

Through their cooperation, the two countries also pave the way for the exchange of expertise, intelligence sharing and collaborations, enabling the authorities on both sides to effectively disrupt and dismantle criminal networks, the agency said.