The supposed Tourism Ban by China on the Philippines over the POGO Issue

The recent News Headlines on PTV and PNA about Zubiri and the supposed Travel Ban Issue by China

So just three Months into the new Administration of President Bong Bong Marcos (PBBM) and China has been again put in a negative light, this time over the issue of a supposed Tourism Blacklist. 

Senator Migz Zubiri was quoted by the Press saying that China’s Ambassador to the Philippines told him that the Philippines had been put on a “Travel Black List” over the Issue of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) which China opposes but the Philippines continues to operate. 

This is exactly what Zubiri said as quoted by the People’s Television (PTV) Network: “Ambassador Huang said that the Philippines now is part of the Black List of Tourists Sites because they do not know if the Tourist going there will be operating POGO operations and they do not know if their Chinese Nationals will be safe in illegal activities being done by the triad or kidnapped mistaken for POGO Operators”

China was quick to deny the Issue though, but the damage had already been done as the News had already been reported by Mainstream Media. 

I don’t exactly know what happened here, perhaps the Chinese Ambassador told Zubiri in confidence but Zubiri forgot and told it to the Public instead, or that the Ambassador himself forgot to mention it should be in confidence. Or if they had a Translator then perhaps he or she forgot to mention it. 

Anyway, based on his previous Facebook Page Posts, Zubiri does seem to be genuinely interested in improving relations with China. He is also a close Ally of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (GMA) who is also for close relations with China. 

So it is just quite unfortunate that this issue came up from him. As for whether there really is a Travel Ban or not, if the Philippines under the new Administration is really doing away with POGOs, then it would be lifted. 

SOURCES: 
* Zubiri: China blacklists PH as Tourist destination due to POGO {Archived Link}
* China denies including PH in Tourism Blacklist {Archived Link}

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