Since December last year, there has been a surge in kidnapping cases against Chinese nationals in the Philippines, many of which are related to the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO).
After the government completely banned POGO operations, although a considerable number of people moved to third countries, a significant number remained in the Philippines. Under the strict crackdown, many unemployed former employees took risks to make a living by becoming kidnappers, kidnapping and extorting money, even targeting fellow countrymen, which is lamentable.
On January 12, National Police official Fajardo pointed out in a media interview that since the official closure of all POGOs on December 31 last year, related criminal activities have risen. She stated, "We are working closely with the anti-kidnapping squad and found that some of the kidnapping suspects are also Chinese."
Among these, some victims were released by paying ransom, although unharmed, there have been unfortunate incidents.
Recent Case Review
1. Clark Freeport Gunfight Kidnapping Case
On the evening of January 13, a kidnapping and shooting incident occurred in the Clark Freeport Special Economic Zone. According to netizens, near Korea Street, a Chinese citizen was kidnapped, and a fierce gunfight ensued, with at least 50 gunshots shocking the locals. During the incident, one person was shot dead. It is unclear whether the hostage fought back against the kidnappers with a gun, or if the kidnappers shot the hostage's bodyguard, driver, or relatives during the process.
According to videos circulating online, the firearms used in the gunfight appeared to be high-powered submachine guns like the M16.
Afterward, the police confirmed that the kidnapped individual was Vivian Cao, a Chinese restaurant owner, and the deceased was one of the suspects.
Although the police have not yet released details, analysis suggests that the case may involve unemployed POGO workers. There are still others at large.
2. Kamiti Land Kidnapping Case
On January 8, Kamiti police arrested two Chinese suspects and successfully rescued two kidnapped compatriots.
It was reported that the police received a call from someone named "Mak," claiming that his two friends, Yuan Jie and Yuan Hao, were illegally detained and extorted by two suspects. The suspects, former POGO employees, planned the kidnapping due to unemployment, attempting to extort ransom.
After receiving the report, the police quickly took action, arresting the criminal suspects Zhou Juncheng and Yang Juncheng, and successfully rescuing the victims. They also found ransom money, handguns, and ammunition.
3. Makati Robbery Case
On December 30, a Chinese businessman reported to the police with his Filipino girlfriend that they were kidnapped and robbed by five men, including various valuables and a luxury bulletproof car worth 5.5 million pesos. The police took action and subsequently arrested the five individuals.
The five suspects will face charges of kidnapping, robbery, car theft, and illegal possession of firearms.
It is reported that four of the suspects are Chinese citizens, and one is a Malaysian citizen.
Before the incident, the victim had sympathetically sheltered two of the suspects who were unemployed due to the POGO shutdown and had no place to live. Unfortunately, they took advantage of his trust and collaborated with others to commit the crime.
The police confirmed that the suspects were unemployed POGO workers.
4. Rizal Kidnapping Attempt Case
A 41-year-old Chinese businessman surnamed Hong encountered an attempted kidnapping in Rizal Province. The suspect was waiting near the victim's home and approached by car around 6 p.m. as Mr. Hong was driving home with his wife and children. The suspect quickly approached and threatened them with a gun.
Fortunately, Mr. Hong managed to escape. After the attempted kidnapping, the suspect fled the scene by car.
In this case, the suspect had a well-planned scheme and infiltrated the gated community where the victim lived. Although the kidnapping was unsuccessful, the police suspect that the perpetrator was also an unemployed POGO worker.
Deep-rooted Causes Behind the Crimes
According to investigations by the Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Squad, recent robberies and kidnappings targeting Chinese nationals have occurred continuously in areas like Metro Manila and Bulacan Province, with Chinese nationals involved in many cases. Why have there been so many cases related to POGO workers and Chinese nationals recently?
1. Chain Reaction of the POGO Ban
The government's ban led to massive unemployment among POGO workers, many of whom lack legal status and find it difficult to secure other jobs. According to data from Philippine government departments, there are still at least 10,000 foreign POGO workers in the country.
In a strict crackdown environment, some POGO companies are on the brink of collapse, and many have disbanded. As a result, some undocumented and unemployed individuals turn to crime for survival, even forming small gangs to target compatriots for kidnapping or fraud.
2. Socio-economic Hardships
The Philippine society itself faces severe economic problems. According to the latest data, the hunger rate in the Philippines is expected to reach 25.9% by the end of 2024, setting a four-year high. Rising unemployment and living costs are driving some people towards crime.
3. Phenomenon of Compatriots Harming Each Other
Many cases show that both the criminal gangs and the victims are Chinese. This phenomenon of "compatriots harming each other" is regrettable and reflects the lack of moral boundaries among some Chinese, highlighting the complex consequences of the POGO ban.
The Philippine National Police and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) have launched joint operations to track down the remaining illegal POGO forces and combat related criminal activities. However, some small-scale gangs are still operating underground, and the risk of crime continues.
The internal contradictions in Philippine society are becoming increasingly apparent. In addition to the problems caused by POGO, widespread poverty and unemployment also pose long-term risks of social instability for the country. The frequent occurrence of these kidnapping cases will undoubtedly lead to further chaos in Philippine public security.
Conclusion
Although the Philippine POGO ban was intended to clean up the illegal gambling industry, its chain reaction has clearly exceeded expectations. Unemployed workers taking risks, and the increase in kidnapping and violent incidents, have further highlighted social conflicts. Against the backdrop of worsening poverty and inequality, how to address the aftermath of the ban, strengthen public security management, and enhance social assistance will be a major challenge for the Philippine government in the future, and it is bound to be a difficult long-term issue!
