Philippines reviews China visa policy over illegal gaming
The visa policy has been referred to the Department of Foreign Affairs for review as authorities continue to pursue illegal offshore gaming operations.
Key takeaways:
- The Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs will review visa-free entry arrangements for Chinese nationals.
- Palace Press Officer Claire Castro referred the policy for assessment following the reported arrest of 81 Chinese nationals at an alleged illegal offshore gaming facility.
- President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s nationwide offshore gambling ban, announced in 2024, remains in force.
The Philippines.- The Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will review the country’s visa-free entry arrangement for Chinese nationals amid concerns that the policy could be exploited to facilitate illegal offshore gaming activities, local media outlet Inquirer.net has reported.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the matter had been referred to the DFA for assessment after 81 Chinese nationals were reportedly arrested during a raid. Castro reaffirmed that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s nationwide ban on POGOs, announced in 2024, remains in force. She said law enforcement agencies, including the Philippine National Police and the Presidential Anti-Organised Crime Commission (PAOCC), will continue operations against illegal activities.
The announcement comes as the Philippines considers expanding its 14-day visa-free entry scheme for Chinese tourists beyond Manila and Cebu to destinations including Clark, Caticlan, Bohol and Palawan. The Department of Tourism has backed the expansion as a way to attract more visitors and support additional charter flights from China.
