(Eagle News)–The Philippines urged Chinese nationals reportedly subjected to abuse in Philippine offshore gaming operations (Pogos) to file formal complaints.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo issued the remark after the Chinese embassy called on the government to “punish” these firms, which, “in many cases,” do not “apply necessary legal work permits for their Chinese employees” according to the embassy.
“Many of the Chinese citizens working illegally in Philippine casinos or POGOs and other forms of gambling entities are subjected to what media described as ‘modern slavery’ due to severe limitation of their personal freedom,” the embassy said.
For instance, it said their “passports are taken away or confiscated by the Philippine employers,” and they are “confined to live and work in certain designated places..”
Some of them have been subjected to extortion, physical abuse and torture as well as other ill-treatments, the embassy said.
“At the same time, dozens of kidnappings and tortured cases of Chinese citizens who gamble or work illegally in gambling entities in the Philippines have taken place. Some Chinese citizens were physically tortured, injured or even murdered,” the embassy added.
According to Panelo, “unless there is an official complaint in reference to this, the government cannot do anything.”
“You have to file a formal complaint on particular instances of violations of their rights,” he said.
