The Philippine government has recently issued a strict directive requiring all foreign employees engaged in offshore gambling operations (Pogos) in the Philippines to voluntarily cancel their work visas by mid October. This measure aims to further crack down on offshore gambling groups suspected of illegal operations, especially targeting online gambling activities led by Chinese citizens.

According to a report by independent Philippine media Rappler cited by the South China Morning Post, the Philippine government has clearly informed foreign gambling industry employees that if they fail to voluntarily cancel their work visas within the prescribed time, their visas will be automatically cancelled, which will result in a large number of Chinese citizens working in the country losing their legal residence and work permits.

In the past, the offshore gambling industry in the Philippines attracted a large number of Chinese laborers, with this number reaching over 300000. However, with the standardized management of the industry and the increased efforts to crack down on illegal operations, the official estimates that the number of Chinese legally employed in the industry this year has significantly reduced to about 150000. The Philippine government's move not only reflects its determination to rectify the gambling industry, but also demonstrates its emphasis on international cooperation to combat cross-border crime.

Both the Chinese and Philippine governments hold a strict attitude towards the offshore gambling industry, believing that such operations are suspected of crimes, and have reached an agreement on the issue of Chinese citizens infiltrating overseas, especially the Chinese public, into online gambling. The Chinese government has repeatedly urged the Philippine authorities to crack down on overseas gambling groups and has stated that it will actively cooperate with the Philippine side to jointly combat cross-border gambling crimes.

It is worth noting that the Philippine government has recently announced that it will completely shut down overseas gambling companies by the end of 2024, further demonstrating its firm stance in cleaning up the industry. At the same time, Philippine law enforcement agencies are actively taking action and have arrested a group of Chinese citizens suspected of engaging in illegal gambling, human smuggling, and other criminal activities.

Analysts point out that this round of rectification action will not only have a profound impact on the gambling industry in the Philippines, but may also lead to a large number of Chinese citizens who have lost their work visas seeking employment opportunities in other industries. Experts predict that these Chinese laborers may flow into casinos, real estate, or other labor-intensive industries in other Southeast Asian countries.

In addition, the illegal operation of overseas gambling groups not only damages the economy and social order of the Philippines, but also brings enormous anti gambling pressure to the Chinese government. The Chinese government and the Philippine government are working together to combat cross-border gambling crimes and safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of the two peoples.