By Raymund Antonio  Vice President Leni Robredo has pressed the need for the administration to closely look into the entry of Chinese workers in the Philippines, especially those who are in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO). Vice President Leni Robredo
(OVP / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) Robredo raised concerns anew on the influx of Chinese workers amid reports where many of them entered the country illegally. "Bakit natin pinapayagan dito na iligal nga sa kanila? Iyon iyong number one. Pangalawa, parang hindi nga masabi kung ilan eksakto iyong nandito na sa atin (Why do we allow them here if it is illegal to them? That's number one. Second, we can't even say the exact number of workers who are already here.),” she said. The Vice President emphasized the government should review and regulate the entry of POGO workers from China. "Tingin ko kailangan talagang balikan iyong polisiya, tingnan iyong mga nandito, ano iyong ginagawa nila, ligal ba iyong pag-stay nila nang matagal (I think we have to review the policy, we have to take a look on those who are here, what are they doing, if their long stay is legal.)," she said. She made the remarks after Malacañang vowed to run after offshore gaming firms which were found illegally hiring Chinese nationals. The Chinese Embassy in Manila called on the government to protect the “legitimate rights and interests” of their citizens as a large number of them had been illegally recruited and hired in the Philippine gambling industry. Chinese citizens are prohibited by their country’s laws and regulations from engaging in any form of gambling. Robredo questioned why the Philippines takes in Chinese workers for POGO when any form of gambling, even those online, is prohibited by Chinese law. "Bakit sila pinapayagan? Tapos iligal sa kanila kaya pumupunta dito. Kung iligal sa kanila, bakit tayo iyong nagha-house? (Why are they permitted? It is illegal to them that's why they are going here. If it is illegal, why are we housing them?)” she asked. The lady official expressed hope the government will address the illegal entry of POGO workers from China after several key officials have already spoken on the issue. Earlier, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. was concerned about the influx of Chinese workers in the country, saying it was a security risk. In response, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. has said that the government needs "to put an end to visas upon arrival; all visas should be issued by consular offices after vetting."