President Marcos is closely monitoring the issue of the Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGOs) but with leave the authorities to handle it, Malacañang said.
Office of the Press Secretary officer-in-charge Undersecretary Cheloy Garafil said this after the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines denied putting the country on its tourist blacklist due to issues hounding POGOs.
In a press briefing, Garafil said Marcos was "closely monitoring" POGO-related developments but is leaving the Philippine National Police (PNP) to take charge of related issues.
"The President is closely monitoring this," she said.
"As far as the President is concerned, ang PNP po ang in-charge dito sa usapin na ito (The PNP is the one in charge of this issue)," she added.
Talks about POGOs surfaced following reports of the kidnapping of Chinese nationals linked to gambling operations in the Philippines. Just last month, a Chinese national and 42 other POGO workers were rescued by authorities in Pampanga.
In a Facebook post, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian reiterated his country's willingness to cooperate in the crackdown on POGO-related crimes.
He also reiterated China's policy on and firm opposition to POGO.
"According to Chinese law and regulations, Chinese citizens gambling overseas, opening casinos to attract Chinese citizens as primary customers constitute gambling crimes," Huang said.
"Criminal liability can be pursued in accordance with the provisions of the Criminal Law of China. The Chinese government and law enforcement have been taking tough measures to combat all forms of gambling," he added.
According to Huang, most recent crimes targeted at Chinese citizens in the Philippines are related to POGO.
"Chinese government cares about and protects the safety and legitimate interests of each and every overseas Chinese citizen," he said.
He said the Chinese Embassy is closely communicating with the Philippine law enforcement agencies.
"It is appreciated that relevant Philippine law enforcement agencies rescued a number of Chinese citizens and shut down some POGO companies during their operations," the Chinese envoy said.
Meanwhile, Huang said crimes induced by and associated with POGO not only hChina'sna’s interests and its relationship with the Philippines but also hurt the interests of the Philippines.
"It is, therefore, widely believed that social costs of POGO far outweigh its economic benefits to the Philippines in the long run, and POGO should be tackled from the root so as to address the social ills in a sweeping manner," he said.