Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has ordered an immediate ban on the country's widespread, mostly Chinese-run online gambling operations, accusing them of financial fraud, human trafficking, torture, kidnapping and murder.
Marcos announced the decision in his State of the Nation address to the Philippine Congress, saying, "From today, all Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) are banned." He ordered the operations to be closed by the end of the year and asked labor officials to help Filipinos who lose their jobs to find other jobs.
There are more than 400 Chinese-run online gambling agencies in the Philippines, employing tens of thousands of Chinese and Southeast Asian citizens.
In his speech, Marcos said, "(These gambling agencies) disguised as legal entities have entered into illegal areas that are least related to gambling, such as financial fraud, money laundering, prostitution, human trafficking, kidnapping, cruel torture, and even murder. The gross abuse and disrespect for our legal system must stop."
Marcos also said that the Philippines will step up efforts to enhance its defense capabilities by establishing security alliances with friendly countries to deal with threats to its territorial interests in the South China Sea. He added that the Philippines will only resolve disputes through diplomatic means.