In Philippines, Chinese national’s arrest over fake papers deepens concern over Pogo links

The latest arrest of a 21-year-old Chinese national over false documents used in a Philippine passport application in Davao has deepened controversy in the country over an unusual influx of Chinese workers in the illegal offshore gaming sector.

Philippine authorities earlier this week confirmed the arrest of the suspect, identified as Hengson Jabilles Limosnero, with National Bureau of Investigation regional director Arcelito Albao saying the case was just one of 200 Chinese nationals discovered recently to have faked birth certificates registered in Santa Cruz town.

Limosnero also managed to secure a driving licence and national ID card from the Philippine Statistics Authority on top of his birth certificate that he used to enrol into an accountancy course at Ateneo de Davao University, according to Albao, who said “we are sure there are more”.

Ramon Beleno III, head of the political science and history department at Ateneo De Davao University in Davao City, told This Week in Asia the latest arrest underscored suspicions about China’s sponsored programmes for nationals to penetrate local communities.

Beleno was referring to the revelation last week of military chief Romeo Brawner Jr that China was infiltrating various sectors in the Philippines, including the media and local governments.

“Like what the Armed Forces of the Philippines is saying, they are trying to control all aspects of government, business and politics. Possibly, he was sent as an agent and they will activate him once needed. That’s if we are going to look at extreme theory,” Beleno warned.

“If we look into other possible theories, he tried to apply for a Philippine passport and wanted to go to the US for a better life as using a Philippine passport will have