Over the past year, the Chinese community in the Philippines has experienced many notable events. From celebrations to sudden accidents, to government investigations and social controversies, these events have not only affected the lives of the Chinese but also had a profound impact on Philippine society.
Here is a key review of 2024:
January
9G Work Visa Investigation: On January 17, the Philippine Department of Justice announced a comprehensive investigation into the 9G work visas issued over the past five years, revealing that travel agencies processed visas through fake companies. At least 40 travel agencies were involved, and thousands of work visas were canceled.
Drug Allegation Controversy: On January 28, former President Duterte accused Marcos of drug use, while Marcos countered that Duterte's judgment was impaired due to fentanyl addiction.
February
Kidnapping cases become frequent: Manila police strengthen patrols in Chinatown, promising to combat kidnapping incidents. However, kidnappings and extortion cases are rampant: many involve severe violence with Chinese suspects and victims.
Bugatti Supercar Incident: Senators expose problems behind the gambling industry, calling for intensified investigations.
March
BGC Shootout: On March 4, police in the Philippines' BGC streets engaged in a shootout with Chinese nationals involved in kidnapping, creating a tense scene.
Banban Gaming Park Raid: On March 13, the Philippine government raided a gaming park in Danlu Province, rescuing over 700 employees, including 432 Chinese nationals.
April
Surge in Chinese Students: The number of Chinese students in Cagayan Province has surged, causing panic among local residents. Two congressmen call for a congressional investigation into the phenomenon, suspecting issues behind it (rampant fake student visas).
May
Guo Huaping Hearing Causes Stir:
On May 10, Banban City Mayor Guo Huaping appeared for the first time at a Senate hearing to answer questions about her identity and links to illegal activities. However, her vague responses to questions about her background, education, and relationships with involved companies led to strong doubts among senators.
Guo Huaping was revealed to have assets exceeding 300 million pesos, owning multiple luxury cars, helicopters, and mansions, making her claim of being an "ordinary citizen" hard to believe. Subsequently, she repeatedly missed hearings, and in July, the Senate issued an arrest warrant for her.
June
Wanguo Village Raid:
In June, the Immigration Bureau raided Wanguo Village, arresting over 30 Chinese nationals suspected of illegal operations. In the same month, gambling parks in Angeles City and Porac town in Pampanga province were also raided, with hundreds of Chinese nationals arrested.
Visa Application Policy Tightened:
On June 10, the Philippine Embassy in China announced that Chinese citizens applying for tourist visas must provide at least six months of social security records and their English translation, a move seen as a new round of control measures against illegal immigration.
Chinese Pharma Executives Kidnapping Shocks Society:
Two Chinese pharmaceutical executives were kidnapped during an inspection trip, with kidnappers demanding a huge ransom. Despite the family paying part of the ransom, both were killed. This case attracted widespread international attention, with the main suspects arrested in South Korea in September and in the USA in November.
July
Complete Ban on POGO Operations:
On July 22, President Marcos announced a complete ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) and required all related businesses to cease by the end of the year.
Fake Birth Certificates Exposed:
The NBI revealed over 200 fake birth certificates, and further investigation found that 1200 birth records were suspected of being obtained through illegal means, involving multiple government agencies.
August
Guo Huaping's Relatives Arrested:
On August 22, Guo Huaping's cousin and other involved individuals were arrested in Indonesia and subsequently extradited back to the Philippines for investigation.
September
Guo Huaping Arrested:
On September 3, Guo Huaping was arrested in Indonesia and escorted back to the country by the Philippine Interior Minister and police, marking a new phase in the investigation of her case.
Yang Jianxin Arrested:
On September 19, 2024, the Philippine Immigration Bureau arrested Chinese businessman Yang Jianxin (also known as Tony Lin, Antonio Lim) at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila. The Philippine government accused him of forging Philippine identity to buy land extensively and operate businesses illegally.
October
Makati Little County Liver Hotpot Restaurant Shooting:
On October 17, a shooting occurred in a hotpot restaurant in Makati City, involving multiple Chinese nationals, drawing widespread attention.
November
Duterte Reveals "Assassination Plan":
On November 23, Vice President Sara Duterte revealed at a press conference that she had instructed an assassin to carry out a killing mission if she met an untimely death, targeting President Ferdinand Marcos, First Lady Lisa Araneta, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
This shocking statement quickly ignited the Philippine political scene, causing strong reactions among the public and politicians. Analysts believe that this event may exacerbate the public confrontation between the Duterte and Marcos camps.
December
Sara Duterte Faces Impeachment Crisis:
Vice President Sara Duterte faces multiple impeachment charges in the House of Representatives, including misuse of confidential funds, alleged extrajudicial killings, and public threats to assassinate the president.
The impeachment case further intensifies the conflict between the Duterte and Marcos camps, stirring up the Philippine political scene.
POGO Final Deadline:
All POGOs that fail to meet regulatory requirements must shut down operations and wind down related businesses within the specified time.
In recent years, the POGO industry has grown rapidly in the Philippines, bringing income to the economy while also causing controversy, including tax compliance issues, increased criminal activities, and social impacts.
Experts predict that this action will have a profound impact on the gambling industry and its related service sectors (such as real estate, IT support, etc.). However, legally compliant operators will continue to be allowed to provide services under strict regulation.
