China urges Philippines to address offshore gambling issues following raid

China has called on the Philippines to address longstanding issues within its offshore gambling industry after authorities in Manila raided an operator and arrested over 450 people, including 137 Chinese citizens.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun reaffirmed Beijing’s commitment to cracking down on gambling-related crimes and reiterated that Chinese citizens abroad must adhere to local laws.

"We urge the Philippine side to resolve the deep-rooted problem related to the offshore gambling industry at an early date," Guo said in a statement on Friday.

The remarks followed a large-scale police operation in Manila on Thursday, where authorities targeted an offshore gambling operator suspected of illegal activities. Offshore gaming operations, banned late last year, have been a controversial issue in the Philippines, drawing scrutiny over links to crime, money laundering, and labor exploitation.

Guo emphasized China's willingness to cooperate with the Philippines in combating criminal activities linked to offshore gambling. At the same time, he called on Philippine authorities to uphold fair enforcement of the law and safeguard the rights of Chinese nationals in the country.

The latest crackdown adds to the growing pressure on the offshore gaming sector, which has faced increased regulatory scrutiny in the Philippines. An executive order was issued by President Marcos Jr last year to ban POGOs, mandating an end to their operations by December 31st, 2024.

However, operators are splintering into smaller “guerilla-style” networks, analysts warn, raising fears that they will continue to undermine national security and influence domestic politics amid a flurry of raids across major cities and provinces.