The number of Chinese citizens falling victim to kidnapping attempts has halved since the shutdown of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in January 2025. Additionally, the fatality rate of kidnapping attempts has dropped 80%.
Chinese ambassador to the Philippines Jing Quan revealed the new statistics after meeting with the Philippine Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC)’s executive director. He thanked law enforcement for their “strong support” in combatting illegal activities and protecting the lives of people in both nations.
often due to unresolved debts or disputes in the POGO sector
While Inside Asian Gaming (IAG) confirmed that the ambassador didn’t specifically attribute the improved figures to the closure of POGOs, the timelines add up. Several lawmakers had commented on previous issues with kidnappings of Chinese nationals, often due to unresolved debts or disputes in the POGO sector.
POGOs had a reputation for carrying out scams and using kidnapped, trafficked workers. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced the incoming ban in July 2024, following several high-profile raids on illegal POGO operations. The countries have also agreed to improve cooperation between their respective law enforcement groups.
