Philippine Government to Examine Chinese Visa-Free Policy Over Links to Illegal POGO Operations
The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs is to review whether the visa-free entry arrangement for Chinese nationals is being exploited to facilitate criminal online-gambling operations, according to Claire Castro. At a Tuesday briefing she mentioned an October 2 raid in Zamboanga Sibugay where 82 Chinese nationals allegedly used the 14-day visa-free arrangement for alleged illegal POGO operations.
SCCG Take — The review signals tighter alignment of immigration and gaming enforcement to prevent policy leakage. Operators and investors should track whether entry restrictions expand, as reversals by future administrations could reopen offshore gaming exposure.
As reported by GGRAsia, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs will review the visa-free entry arrangement for Chinese nationals after evidence emerged that it has been used to support criminal online gambling activities.
Claire Castro, press officer at the Malacañang Palace, addressed the matter at a Tuesday briefing. She cited two recent raids: one on October 2 in Zamboanga Sibugay targeting alleged illegal offshore-facing operations, and another on October 18 in Makati City.
Local outlets referred to the activities as POGOs, formerly a licensed category under the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp that has since been abolished. The Zamboanga Sibugay raid will result in the deportation of 101 foreigners, including 82 Chinese nationals who entered the country on the 14-day visa-free program.
Recent Actions Against Persistent Illegal Gaming
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr signed an order banning offshore gaming operations in November 2024, citing national security and public order concerns. The measure was implemented by December 2024 and later codified through legislation in 2025.
Winston Casio, former Presidential Anti-organised Crime Commission spokesperson, had earlier stated that POGO-style operations continued in parts of the country despite the ban. Castro confirmed that Philippine law-enforcement agencies will keep pursuing these illegal activities. She added that current efforts against POGO-type operations could be reversed by any future administration that chooses to support offshore gaming.
Chinese nationals currently receive 14-day visa-free entry via the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Metro Manila and the Mactan-Cebu International Airport in Cebu. Dita Angara-Mathay, Secretary of Tourism, had recently raised the possibility of extending the arrangement to additional entry points.
Where Enforcement Meets Immigration Policy
The planned review focuses on whether the visa program is being abused to enable prohibited gaming. Philippine authorities now face the task of tightening entry controls without undermining legitimate tourism objectives. Any adjustment will test the durability of the offshore gaming prohibition against attempts to circumvent it through immigration channels.
Reporting: GGRAsia
Generated by SCCG’s automated editorial system from published source reporting. SCCG Management holds editorial responsibility.
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