China – Page 14 – Author Carlo Carrasco

Immigration operatives arrest wanted Chinese national in Parañaque City

August 13, 2024August 4, 2024carlocarrasco

Recently in the city of Parañaque, operatives of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) arrested a Chinese national who turned out to be wanted by authorities in China for alleged acts of human trafficking related to online gaming hubs located in the Philippines, according to a GMA Network news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the GMA news report. Some parts in boldface…

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) said it has arrested a Chinese national wanted in Beijing for allegedly trafficking fellow Chinese to work for online gaming hubs in the Philippines.

The Chinese national was identified by BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco as Wang Chuancong, 35.

Wang was arrested last July 30 at a condominium along Roxas Boulevard in Parañaque City by BI’s Fugitive Search Unit operatives. Tansingco said the Chinese government informed the BI of the suspect’s presence in the country.

A detention warrant was issued against him in April 2024 by the municipal public security bureau in Jinjiang, China for human trafficking.

“We were told that he heads a syndicate that facilitates the illegal departure of Chinese nationals by forging documents to facilitate their outbound travel in China,” Tansingco said.

“This allows them to travel to different countries including the Philippines to work in online gaming hubs,” the BI commissioner added.

Wang was found to be an undocumented alien after his passport was canceled by the Chinese government.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, are you concerned that there could be more Chinese criminals hiding in the city?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Philippines 2024 2nd quarter economic growth at 6.3%

August 9, 2024August 8, 2024carlocarrasco

The economy of the Philippines grew at a fast 6.3% in the 2^nd quarter (April to June 2024) according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article. The declared quarterly growth rate placed the Philippines ahead of Malaysia, Indonesia and China.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…

Philippine economic growth accelerated to 6.3 percent in the second quarter of the year from 4.3 percent in the same period last year, National Statistician Dennis Mapa said in a briefing on Thursday.

Mapa said economic growth during the period was also higher than the 5.8 percent gross domestic product (GDP) growth recorded in the first quarter of the year.

National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said the latest economic growth makes the Philippines one of the fastest-growing economies in the region.

“This performance keeps our position as one of Asia’s best-performing major emerging economies. For East Asia’s economies that have released their second quarter 2024 GDP growth, we follow behind Vietnam at 6.9 percent while leading Malaysia at 5.8 percent, Indonesia at 5.0 percent, and China at 4.7 percent,” said Balisacan.

Among major economic sectors, industry and services grew by 7.7 percent and 6.8 percent, respectively. Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, however, contracted by 2.3 percent due to the effects of the El Niño phenomenon.

Household final consumption expenditure grew by 4.6 percent while government final consumption expenditure expanded by 10.7 percent.

Balisacan said the increase in government final consumption expenditure was driven by the timely implementation and expanded coverage programs of various social protection, health, and education programs, and preparatory activities for the 2025 national and local elections. Gross capital formation went up by 11.5 percent.

Public construction sustained double-digit growth of 21.8 percent as the government’s infrastructure agencies expedited the rollout of the Marcos Jr. administration’s construction and rehabilitation projects.

Exports of goods and services rose by 4.2 percent while imports of goods and services went up by 5.2 percent.

On track to meet target – “This significant development brings our real GDP growth to 6.0 percent for the first half of the year, keeping us on track to achieve our target growth rate of 6 to 7 percent for 2024,” said Balisacan.

He said the economy would need to grow by at least 6 percent in the second half to attain the lower end of the target for 2024.

Balisacan assured that the government would ensure the benefits of economic growth would be shared equitably.

“President Marcos began his 2024 State of the Nation Address with one of our most urgent priorities: the government will continue its push for food security by managing food inflation with appropriate supply-side measures,” he said.

He said the government was committed to utilizing strategic trade policy to augment insufficient domestic food supplies to meet rising demand.

The government will also expedite the rollout of social protection programs for the poor and vulnerable sectors, including enhancements to the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Food Stamp Program and the 4Ps Program.

Aside from these, the government will also focus on raising agricultural productivity and improving farmers’ incomes and competitiveness.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the economy of the Philippines has enough momentum to achieve a growth rate of at least 6.5% for the entire year?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

Arrest warrant against suspended Bamban mayor Alice Guo anticipated

August 9, 2024August 7, 2024carlocarrasco

A warrant of arrest against suspended Bamban mayor Alice Guo is expected to be issued as the human trafficking case was submitted for resolution by the Department of Justice (DOJ) which is related with her non-participation in recent investigations, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article. It should be remembered that Guo’s fingerprints matched those who Guo Hua Ping.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…

A senator is expecting that a warrant of arrest will soon be issued against suspended Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo after her human trafficking case was submitted for resolution by the Department of Justice (DOJ) following her non-appearance in the preliminary investigations.

Being submitted for resolution, the case will now be decided by prosecutors on whether to lodge it before the courts on the basis solely of the complainant’s allegations, according to the DOJ.

“Since she did not personally show up nor file her counter affidavit, she will mostly like be liable for human trafficking which is a non-bailable offense,” Senator Sherwin Gatchalian told reporters in a Viber message.

“A warrant of arrest will ensue on this particular case,” he added.

Gatchalian earlier advised Guo to appear and address the various cases against her, including human trafficking, birth certificate cancellation, and disobedience to summons.

The Senate issued an arrest order against Guo last July 11 after failing to attend two hearings related to the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) hub raided in her municipality before the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality.

She also failed to attend the three hearings on the human trafficking cases filed before the DOJ.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the anticipated issuance of the warrant of arrest will compel suspended mayor Guo to come out from hiding and turn herself in? Do you wish that the warrant of arrest will be issued within the next two weeks?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

Chinese nationals arrested by NBI agents for credit card fraud and bribery

August 1, 2024July 30, 2024carlocarrasco

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested seven Chinese nationals for credit card fraud and bribery as a result of separate operations that took place in two cities, according to a GMA Network news report. One of the operations happened in Parañaque City which for some reason remains a hot spot of crime involving Chinese nationals.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA news report. Some parts in boldface…

Seven Chinese citizens have been arrested for credit card fraud and bribing agents of the National Bureau of Investigation, the NBI said Tuesday.

According to the bureau, operatives of the NBI-Cybercrime Division arrested the seven foreigners, classified as a transnational organized crime (TOC) group, in separate operations in Parañaque and Quezon City on July 27.

This was after the NBI received multiple complaints against the foreigners, accusing them of vishing, smishing, phishing, click-baiting, pretexting, and whaling, which resulted in unauthorized or illegal access and eventual utilization of their credit card credentials without their knowledge.

The NBI said the group would cash out money through socially engineered credit card credentials from the accounts of their victims. It said the group would need a point-of-sale (POS) device to expedite cashing out.

During the operation, poseur-accomplices pretended to possess a POS device. They then agreed to meet for the scheme to materialize.

This led to the arrest of two Chinese citizens during an entrapment operation in Parañaque on July 27.

One of them attempted to bribe the operatives several times and offered P1.5 million for their release and the termination of the charges against them. The operatives pretended to agree to the offer and conducted another entrapment operation.

In the evening of the same day, two vehicles arrived at the parking lot of the NBI main office in Quezon City for the exchange.

The NBI said that after one Chinese-looking individual gave a bag of money, the operatives arrested him along with his cohorts inside the vehicles.

Authorities retrieved three handguns with a military-grade smoke grenade from the vehicle. The arrested individuals were unable to provide licenses and papers for the firearms.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think there could be more Chinese nationals secretly committing credit card fraud and other forms of cybercrime while they are still staying here in the Philippines?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

Ban on POGOs all over the Philippines declared

July 24, 2024July 23, 2024carlocarrasco

During his 3^rd State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., declared a nationwide ban on all Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs), according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article. Marcos pointed out the negative effects POGOs had on the country such as money laundering, scamming, prostitution, human trafficking, kidnapping, and murder to name some.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has heeded snowballing calls to ban Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos) in the country, an industry marred by controversies and illegal activities.

During his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, Marcos acknowledged that POGOs have already “ventured into illicit areas furthest from gaming, such as financial scamming, money laundering, prostitution, human trafficking, kidnapping, brutal torture, even murder.”

“The grave abuse and disrespect of our system must stop. Kailangan nang itigil ang panggugulo nito sa ating lipunan at paglalapastangan sa ating bansa (It is now imperative to stop this chaos that is wreaking havoc to our society and desecrating our country). Effective today, all POGOs are banned,” Marcos exclaimed prompting the crowd at the Batasan Pambansa in Quezon City to break into cheers.

The President also ordered the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation to cease operations of POGOs by the end of the year, as well as the Department of Labor and Employment to help workers who will be displaced.

Finance Secretary Ralph Recto and Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, key figures of the administration’s economic team, have supported the calls to ban POGOs, which mostly cater to clients from mainland China and employ a large number of Chinese-speaking foreign workers.

Several lawmakers and business groups have also urged the President to impose a total ban on POGOs.

Aside from money laundering activities, crimes attributed to the POGOs have expanded over the past years and now include human trafficking, abduction, homicide, illegal detention, kidnap-for-ransom, theft, robbery-extortion, serious physical injuries, swindling, grave coercion, investment scam, cryptocurrency scam, and love scam.

For added insight, watch this GMA Network news video of President Marcos making the declaration.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the newly declared nationwide ban on POGOs will reduce the connected criminal acts? Are there many POGO-connected foreigners living in your local community? Do you think the ban on POGOs will result in lesser Chinese nationals coming into the country? Do you think the closures of POGOs will affect a lot of small businesses that sold products or services to them?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

Chinese national arrested for using fake documents while applying for Philippine passport

July 18, 2024July 10, 2024carlocarrasco

Recently in Davao City, a 21-year-old Chinese national got arrested by elements of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for using falsified documents when he applied for a Philippine passport at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), according to a Manila Bulletin news report. As it turns out, the suspect has been using a fake identity for some time here in the Philippines and has already admitting to possessing a Chinese passport.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from Manila Bulletin report. Some parts in boldface…

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-Davao arrested a 21-year-old Chinese national on Tuesday afternoon, July 9, for applying for a Philippine passport at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)-Davao here using falsified documents.

NBI-Davao Region Director Arcelito Albao said in a press conference on Wednesday, July 10, that the DFA-Davao alerted the NBI-Davao that a Chinese national using the Filipino name Hengson Jabilles Limosnero attempted to apply for a passport. Albao said the suspect was accompanied by the family driver.

Albao, however, declined to disclose the suspect’s Chinese name, pending verification of his real identity from the Bureau of Immigration.

In a brief interview with the media, the suspect, who was presented during the press conference, admitted to possessing a Chinese passport.

Albao said that the Chinese used a birth certificate, driver’s license, and national identification (ID) card from the Philippine Statistics Authority to apply for a passport.

He said that the Chinese used his fake identity to study high school at Philippine Academy of Sakya Davao and college at the Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU). Albao said the Chinese is a first-year accountancy student at ADDU.

The suspect will face charges for violating the New Philippine Passport Act and Revised Penal Code penalizing falsification of public documents, perjury, and using fictitious name and concealing true name, Albao said.

He said the suspect was issued original documents and IDs by various government agencies but were considered falsified as the information was false.

Albao said that the suspect and his family have been residing in Davao City for 10 years. He said they own a hardware business in this city’s Chinatown District on Ramon Magsaysay Ave., called by residents Uyanguren.

The NBI-Davao head added that an employee from DFA-Davao doubted the suspect’s nationality and authenticity of the documents as he could not speak Cebuano, not fluent in Tagalog, and could only talk in English during interview.

He said the Chinese gave inconsistent answers during the interview.

Albao said the suspect applied for a passport as he wanted to become a Philippine citizen and plans to travel to the US.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think there could be even more Chinese nationals who have been living here in the Philippines using fake identities?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

Bodyguards of Chinese national arrested for allegedly stealing guns and firearms licenses of fellow guards

July 16, 2024July 8, 2024carlocarrasco

Two bodyguards who worked for a Chinese national – reportedly involved with Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) – were arrested by law enforcer for the alleged acts of stealing guns as well as the firearms licenses of their fellow guards, according to a GMA Network news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from GMA news report. Some parts in boldface…

Two bodyguards of a Chinese national involved in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) were nabbed for allegedly stealing the guns and the guns’ licenses from their fellow bodyguards.

According to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Southern District Field Unit, the two bodyguards claimed that their Chinese boss had told them to retrieve the weapons so these could be passed on to other people.

However, the two bodyguards’ compatriots resisted as the guns were registered in their names, and they were worried about how the guns would be used.

“Pinapangalan sa kanila nitong mga Chinese national ‘yung mga binibiling baril. Pero ‘pag kinuha kasi sa kanila, hindi alam kung saan ito gagamitin kaya ‘yun pinangangambahan ito ngayon,” said the CIDG-SPD’s Police Major Leopoldo Cajipe in Jonathan Andal’s Sunday “24 Oras Weekend” report.

According to the CIDG, the suspects said their Chinese boss had ordered them to take the firearms from their fellow security men.

One of the security men resisted, and he was then allegedly beaten and detained in the barracks. But he was later able to escape and alert the police.

The CIDG investigation found that the Chinese nationals may be getting help from someone in the government who could easily change the names on the licenses for the guns, as one of the suspects was found to have a license to carry.

However, the license indicated that the suspect was a government employee, which he was not.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think that Chinese nationals linked with POGOs are going to the extreme when it comes to acquiring firearms locally? Do you think POGO Chinese nationals are conspiring with certain employees of the government?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

Philippines wins Mixed Junior Relay gold medal in the 2024 Asia Triathlon Junior Cup Kampar

July 15, 2024July 14, 2024carlocarrasco

The Philippines won another gold medal of the Mixed Junior Relay competition of the 2024 Asia Triathlon Junior Cup which was held at Kampar, Malaysia, yesterday.

The Philippines – composed of Matthew Hermosa, Kira Ellis, Samantha Corpuz, and Dayshaun Ramos – topped the contest (distances of 375m swimming – 5 Km biking – 1.5 Km running) with a collective time of 1 hour, 27 minutes and 51 seconds (1:27:51). Ellis and Hermosa were members of the same Philippine squad that won the Mixed Aquathlon 4X Team Relay event of the 32^nd Southeast Asian Games. Ellis won the gold of the Junior Women contest on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong clocked in 1:29:33 for the silver medal while Uzbekistan finished in 1:32:45 for the bronze medal of the Mixed Junior Relay contest. To see the complete results of the race, click here.

In other contests of the 2024 Asia Triathlon Junior Cup, Eleora Avanzado and Cristy Perez of the Philippines finished 4^th and 5^th place respectively in the U15 Women contest. Avanzado was behind bronze medalist Alexandra Sharayeva of Uzbekistan by less than 10 seconds.

For Philippine triathlon updates, click https://www.facebook.com/TriPhil

+++++

Iloilo City Council starts move to investigate illegal aliens and their links with crime and illegal activities

July 12, 2024July 4, 2024carlocarrasco

Recently in Iloilo City, the City Council of Iloilo formally started their moves to probe the presence of several illegal aliens and their involvement with illegal activities, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…

The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) will convene as a committee of the whole to investigate the reported presence of several illegal immigrants here.

This developed as Councilor Romel Duron pushed for a resolution calling for an investigation of undocumented immigrants involved in illegal activities in the city.

In his resolution, Duron asked the committee to invite all agencies involved and even homeowners associations of subdivisions where the presence of foreigners leasing houses is reported.

“It’s not only illegal immigrants but illegal activities are also happening in our city, more so with the ongoing Senate investigation on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO),” he said.

“In the past months here in Iloilo, there were illegal immigrants engaging in illegal activities; some were even apprehended. There are reports that in some subdivisions, there are many foreigners occupying or leasing, who could not speak English or Hiligaynon.”

In a follow-up interview, Duron said the Bureau of Immigration (BI) should explain why many tourists are working in the city when their visas are only good for 30 days.

The council will also invite the Department of Labor and Employment to validate reports that these foreigners were able to secure certification from the agency.

The councilor expressed alarm over crimes and illegal activities linked to illegal immigrants, like human trafficking, crime against women and their children, and drugs, among others.

“Maybe, as of now, it is not rampant, but when ignored, it might happen to us,” he added.

Last year, the City Drugs Enforcement Unit of the Iloilo City Police Office with the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center of the Department of Information and Communications Technology arrested 17 Chinese nationals for operating a suspected cybersex den in Barangay Lawa-an in Jaro District.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the City Council of Iloilo made the right move to investigate illegal aliens?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

PAGCOR declares POGO operations in compounds officially prohibited, guidelines coming

July 12, 2024July 11, 2024carlocarrasco

With all the controversies about Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) and their connections with criminal activities going on, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) announced that POGOs are no longer allowed to operate within large spaces and compounds, according to a GMA Network news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from GMA news report. Some parts in boldface…

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) on Wednesday said that it will no longer allow the operations of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) within large spaces and compounds.

PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco made the announcement at a Senate hearing after he was asked by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian to make an assurance that there will be no POGO-linked crimes in the country.

“We’re coming out with certain guidelines. We’re already banning hubs. In the meantime that wala pa namang (there is no) order ng closure, this early I can inform everybody that we will not allow any hub existing or going to be applied for, we will not approve it anymore,” Tengco said.

According to the PAGCOR chief, POGO operations will now be “site specific” and “building specific” unlike in the POGO compounds in Bamban, Tarlac and Porac, Pampanga that were raided by authorities for alleged illegal activities within these establishments.

Tengco said he cannot assure that POGO will no longer commit crimes, but they will ensure that the 43 remaining licensed POGO firms will follow PAGCOR’s new guidelines and “enhancements.”

Further, Tengco said they will create teams that will monitor the POGO firms 24/7 in a bid to “deter” these criminal activities.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the PAGCOR still has a lot of explaining to do about the POGOs that remain operating in the country? Do you think PAGCOR should have prohibited POGOs from operating inside large places before? Are there several POGO operations – both big and small – present in your locality right now?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

	derralle on Philippines Falls In 2026 FDI…
	Instapundit »… on America And The Philippines Pl…
	Marc Doig on America And The Philippines Pl…
	needone on What To Watch On YouTube Right…
	needone on What To Watch On YouTube Right…

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: