Spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines Responds to Media Inquiries Regarding the Shooting Incident in Metro Manila Resulting in the Death of a Chinese Citizen.

Question: It is reported that on a certain date, a shooting incident occurred in the Greater Manila Area of the Philippines, resulting in the death of a Chinese citizen. Could you please provide information on the details of the case and the work done by the embassy?

Answer: Recently, a heinous criminal case occurred in the Greater Manila Area of the Philippines, where a Chinese citizen was shot dead. After the incident, the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines attached great importance to the matter, immediately activated the emergency response mechanism, actively assisted the Philippine police in investigating the case, urged the Philippine authorities to increase efforts to apprehend the perpetrator as soon as possible, and to ensure the safety of the lives and property of Chinese citizens in the Philippines. The Embassy also actively provided consular assistance to the family of the deceased Chinese citizen, helping to handle the related affairs.

The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines has always placed the safety and well-being of Chinese citizens at the forefront, making every effort to protect the various legal rights and interests of Chinese citizens in the Philippines. Recently, Ambassador Huang Xilian, the Embassy's Chief of Staff, and the Consul General met with the newly appointed Philippine Interior Secretary Reynaldo Tamura, Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente, and other law enforcement officials to discuss Sino-Philippine law enforcement cooperation. They urged the Philippine side to take concrete measures to ensure the safety and legal rights and interests of Chinese citizens in the Philippines, handle cases involving Chinese citizens fairly and justly according to the law, and particularly expedite the investigation and resolution of serious criminal cases involving Chinese citizens.

The embassy also dispatched staff to visit some Chinese citizens in custody, provided necessary living supplies, and facilitated positive progress in the handling of multiple cases involving Chinese citizens. Law enforcement cooperation is an important component of China-Philippines relations, playing an irreplaceable role in safeguarding the life and property safety of the two peoples and promoting their well-being.

Chinese law prohibits all forms of gambling. China supports the Philippines in fully banning offshore gaming and cracking down on offshore gaming companies that are still operating and their related crimes. Since this year, with the joint efforts of both China and the Philippines, approximately Chinese nationals involved in offshore gaming have been repatriated. In accordance with the consensus reached by both sides, the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines will maintain close communication and collaboration with relevant Philippine authorities, further strengthening and deepening law enforcement cooperation between the two countries, and rigorously combating transnational crimes to better protect the peace and safety of citizens from both nations.