According to Philippine media reports on October 20, Winston Casio, former head of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), said authorities should investigate whether the visa-free policy for Chinese citizens has fueled the spread of illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and fraudulent birth certificates. He said so-called "protectors" are shielding illegal POGO operators, allowing them to keep operating with impunity despite the government's ongoing crackdown. Casio urged agencies to tighten entry screening and to look into possible links between illegal gambling and forged civil registry documents.
Casio said authorities have carried out 25 raids on illegal POGOs so far in 2026. He estimates that more than 5,000 POGO operators remain in the Philippines, mostly in the southern part of Metro Manila.
So far this is only a former official's call; the government has not announced any investigation or change to the visa-free policy. Since the Philippines' nationwide POGO ban, some illegal operations may have moved underground, and cases of foreigners using fake birth certificates to claim Philippine identities have repeatedly surfaced. If entry rules are tightened, ordinary Chinese business travelers could face stricter checks, so Chinese residents in the Philippines should keep their legal documents in order.
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