Pimentel urges crackdown on Chinese tourists

MANILA, Philippines–The rise of prostitution rings servicing Chinese nationals should prompt government to carry out a major crackdown on Chinese tourists illegally staying in the country, Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said on Wednesday.

The sex-for-sale modus, usually done online, was tackled in a Senate hearing presided by Sen. Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday, and was traced to the mushrooming of Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos) operated mainly by Chinese nationals.

“Let’s not think about the interest of China. Let’s consider the interest of the Philippines,” Pimentel, chair of the Senate foreign relations committee, told reporters.

The senator also pointed out that the Chinese government had previously informed the Philippines that it was opposed to the operations of Pogos, which cater mainly to citizens of mainland China.

“If we have a massive crackdown (on these Chinese Pogo workers), we will have a convergence of interests between the Philippines and China. They will be happy with it,” Pimentel said. —Marlon Ramos