China expressed concern Monday over the detention of a large number of Chinese citizens in the Philippines during a crackdown on online gambling, and urged the Philippine government to handle the matter fairly and in accordance with the law.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang made the remarks at a press conference when responding to a report that the Philippine Immigration Bureau detained a large number of Chinese nationals last week suspected of being involved in online gambling at a casino complex north of Manila.
"Some of the detainees have already been released, and the rest are waiting further investigation," Geng said.
The Chinese embassy demanded the Philippines properly settle the issue, accelerate identity verification, release those with legal identities as soon as possible, and guarantee the safe, humanitarian treatment of the detainees, Geng said.
He said that China always requires Chinese overseas to abide by the laws and regulations of local countries and not to become involved in such activities as illegal gambling that may endanger them.
