Chinese government concerned over 1,300 detained citizens

Monday 28th of November 2016

The Chinese government has voiced their concern over the detention of around 1,300 Chinese nationals during a crackdown on online gambling in the Philippines last week, local media reports.

The Philippine immigration bureau detained around 1,316 Chinese people working in call centre-like facilities who were suspected of running online gambling operations out of Clark Field.

While some were suspected to be working there illegally, it is unclear if the Chinese nationals were being held for gambling offences or for visa and immigration violations.

In a statement following the arrests, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said his government has requested that Manila “appropriately make arrangements” for those that had been detained, as well as the quick release of individuals with legal working status.

“At the same time, China expresses concern over the large number of Chinese citizens detained by the Philippines,” Geng said in a regular press briefing, quoted by Reuters.

Geng added that China always reminded its citizens who traveled abroad to abide by local laws.

Crackdown Chinese Arrest Online gambling