China, Philippines meet to boost anti-POGO cooperation

On Tuesday, July 2, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian met with Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin to discuss ways to combat transnational organized crime and illegal offshore gambling.

The meeting focused on recent actions by Philippine law enforcement against POGO operators and the rescue of several Chinese nationals, highlighting mutual support between China and the Philippines in addressing social ills like human trafficking and kidnapping.

Both countries agreed to boost cooperation through expertise exchanges, intelligence sharing, and joint operations to disrupt criminal networks operating across borders.

Philippine authorities have intensified scrutiny against POGO operators as the Senate investigates Mayor Alice Guo of Bamban, Tarlac, while Chinese nationals continue to be victimized by illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) linked to Chinese criminal syndicates.

The collaboration aims to send a clear message to transnational crime syndicates that their activities will not be tolerated and is expected to pave the way for further intelligence sharing and disruption of illegal operations.