The vice chairman of the House Committee on Games and Amusement backed the initiative of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) to conduct Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC) and culture-sensitivity training for Chinese workers in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
Rep. Ronnie Ong of the Ang Probinsyano Party-list said over the weekend that the GMRC training is “very timely” as POGO workers and some Chinese mainlanders do not know how to behave properly.
“So they must be reminded that although Filipinos are hospitable, they should abide by our laws and respect our cultures and traditions,” said Ong.
He said there is an “undeniable” pattern of Chinese mainlanders getting into trouble because of their “rough and rowdy behavior.”
“Strangely, this is not the case with the other Chinese, such as those coming from Hongkong, Macau and Taiwan who are very behaved and are respectful of Filipino laws, culture and traditions,” said Ong.
While others may view the training as bordering on racism, Ong said Filipinos have the right to demand respect from people who are considered as guests.
‘Expedite IDs’
Ong also urged Pagcor to fast-track the issuance of Gaming Employment License (GEL) identification cards to all registered Chinese POGO workers.
In partnership with the Bureau of Immigration, Pagcor should also conduct regular inspection of all these POGO facilities to have a complete audit of all legitimate Chinese POGO personnel, he said.
“Pagcor should step up its campaign against illegal POGOs or the so-called NOGOs [Non-registered Offshore Gaming Operators]. One way to do this is to start requiring these Chinese POGO workers to have GEL IDs. Pagcor promised to deliver this last January but it is already March but we still don’t see the GEL IDs,” Ong added.
Apart from flushing out illegal Chinese POGO workers, the GEL IDs would also help the government in monitoring COVID-19 cases in various POGO facilities nationwide.
Ong also raised alarm on the increasing criminal incidents involving Chinese mainlanders which could indicate that apart from their POGO operations, Chinese criminal gangs have also come to the Philippines to conduct their criminal activities ranging from drug trafficking, prostitution, kidnapping, gun-for-hire, and even money laundering.
Ong said that while he sees nothing wrong with operation of legitimate POGOs because they contribute to the country’s economy, the government must stamp out illegal POGOs and immediately neutralize Chinese criminal gangs.