Palace urges Chinese workers to file complaints over alleged abuses against them by PH employers

August 8, 2019

Malacanang urged on Thursday Chinese workers in the Philippines whose rights were allegedly being violated to file appropriate charges so the government could act on them.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo made the statement following the remarks of the Chinese Embassy in Manila about alleged abuses against some Chinese working in the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations or POGO.

"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 Chinese Embassy in Manila said.

It claimed the Chinese passports were taken away or confiscated by Philippine employers  and they were confined to live and work in certain designated places. 

The embassy said some have been subjected to extortion, physical abuse and torture as well as other ill-treatments.

"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," it added.

Panelo said the government would not allow any violation of the rights of other nationals.

"We certainly have the Constitution to guide government authorities in dealing with them. We will not allow any abuse on any foreign visitor or worker in this country from our own countrymen – we have laws. We have always to enforce the law," he said.

He said alleged victims should file formal complaints, "so that this particular concern will be raised in the appropriate agencies of the government."

As to the reported remarks by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation Vice President Jose Tria that Chinese working in POGOs would be transferred to "self-contained" communities or hubs, Panelo said the Palace has yet to receive formal communication from the agency.

"We'll wait for the communication from Pagcor," he said.

The Chinese Embassy has expressed grave concern over the reported self-containment of Chinese workers.

It said this may infringe on the basic legal rights of the Chinese citizens concerned.

It also urged the Philippine government to effectively protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens in the Philippines. Celerina Monte/DMS