Hontiveros wants 'visa upon arrival' for Chinese nationals terminated

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Sunday called for the end of the Visa Upon Arrival (VUA) for Chinese nationals after police reported that the scheme has occasioned the increase of kidnappings related incidents in the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators industry.

“Walang tigil ang krimen na dinadala ng POGO sa bansa. Napatotohanan na natin sa Senado na maraming Chinese online gaming workers ang customers ng mga prostituted and trafficked women, at ngayon, kinukumpirma na ng PNP," Hontiveros said in a statement.

"This is all no thanks to the VUA scheme,” she added.

Citing data from the Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG), Hontiveros said there are total of 24 kidnapping incidents recorded in 2017 and 2018; 35 in 2019, and two in 2020.

Of these incidents, the PNP-AKG was able to arrest 34 suspects in POGO-related kidnapping incidents last year and 31 this year.

Hontiveros, however, pointed out there were no casino-related kidnappings in 2016, a year before the VUA system began, based on PNP data.

The said system only took effect in 2017 after then Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II issued Department Order No. 41, allowing citizens of the People's Republic of China to enter the Philippines without having previously obtained a visa from the Department of Foreign Affairs.

“The VUA scheme is a dubious project. Our investigations already revealed that corrupt BI officials involved in the 'pastillas scam' have also profited from the VUA system. Nakabulsa sila ng halos P2-bilyong kickback. Kahit anong bali-baliktad natin sa VUA, klaro na puro perwisyo lang ang dala nito sa ating bansa,” Hontiveros said.

“It will be safer for everyone, Chinese and Filipinos, if all Chinese visitors entering the country apply for visas through channels monitored by the DFA. Suspended pa lang ang VUA ngayon dahil sa COVID-19, pero dapat na itong i-terminate. Air travel may soon continue, but I strongly suggest that VUA does not,” she added. —LBG, GMA News