MANILA — Senator Risa Hontiveros raised concerns over what she described as the exploitation of the country’s asylum process by Chinese fugitives involved in illegal gambling and POGO-linked activities.

During a privilege speech, Hontiveros cited the recent arrest of Chinese national Lin Xiangqian, wanted in China for running illegal online gambling operations. She said Lin filed for asylum a day after his arrest, effectively blocking his deportation.

“This is not an isolated loophole. This is an insidious pattern. A modus. A deliberate exploitation of our asylum system,” Hontiveros said. She highlighted similar cases, including fugitives Ms. Wang, Mr. Yin, Mr. Tang, and Mr. Ren, who were released after obtaining refugee status despite being wanted for non-political crimes.

“These cases have three common features. Una, they are all fugitives, wanted for non-political, non-religious crimes. Pangalawa, they all operate in illegal gambling, POGO-style criminal enterprises, or underground digital casinos. Pangatlo, they all seek asylum the moment they are arrested in the Philippines,” Hontiveros said.

The senator emphasized that refugee protection is intended to shield persecuted and vulnerable individuals, not criminals. She noted that under the 1951 Refugee Convention and DOJ Department Circular No. 024, 2022, a refugee is someone who fears persecution due to race, religion, nationality, membership in a social group, or political opinion—not a person fleeing fraud or illegal gambling charges.

Hontiveros said that the rapid processing of these asylum applications, some granted within a month, raised questions about the integrity and effectiveness of the system. She also raised concerns that many of these individuals remain in the Philippines, potentially continuing criminal operations while enjoying refugee protections.

She called for an investigation into the processes that allowed these fugitives to obtain asylum and asked that her speech be referred to the Senate Subcommittee on Justice and Human Rights. The subcommittee is set to hear the case of Joseph Sy and related matters, examining how foreigners allegedly exploit Philippine systems to evade accountability.

“Kapabayaan ba o katiwalian?” Hontiveros asked, urging the government to ensure that the asylum system serves its intended purpose of protecting the vulnerable, not criminals.