Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 4) — The recent reports of crimes allegedly committed by Chinese nationals in the country are just "isolated incidents" and do not reflect the Philippines' relationship with China, the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines said.

"Individual illegal and criminal cases involving Chinese citizens are only isolated incidents and cannot represent the whole picture of China-Philippines relations," said the Embassy in a statement on Wednesay.

This was in response to reported illicit incidents involving Chinese nationals, which senators said are linked to the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators industry.

The Embassy said it condemns "irresponsible remarks" and allegations on China based on politically-motivated fake news. The Chinese government is already working with Philippine officials on combating transnational crimes, it added.

"The China-Philippines relations have maintained a good momentum of development, which serves the fundamental interests of the two peoples," said the Embassy.

The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on Thursday will investigate large sums of cash, amounting to billions of pesos, brought to the Philippines mostly by Chinese visitors. Senator Richard Gordon said that this amount could have been used for money laundering given that authorities failed to track where the money went.

Gordon also blamed the Duterte administration's "too soft" stance on China for the rise in incidents involving the Chinese.

However, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo has maintained that the government does not give special treatment to Chinese nationals.

Earlier, Senator Risa Hontiveros also revealed a scheme wherein Chinese nationals - including POGO workers - conspired with immigration employees to enter the country without undergoing screening procedures through a so-called "pastillas" scheme.