MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo yesterday called on the government not to allow Chinese nationals to work in the country for offshore gambling firms that are banned in China.

“Isn’t this a big insult to Filipinos that the government allows Chinese workers to do here what is illegal in their country?” Robredo said in an interview.

The Vice President made the statement after the city government of Puerto Princesa in Palawan probed the operations of Octofox IT Solutions, which is allegedly involved in illegal online gambling.

Reports said around 260 Chinese workers entered the country without working visas and are staying in 12 hotels and inns in the province.

“There were residents of Palawan who informed me that these Chinese started with online gaming activities in the province. My question is, did they come here because this (online gaming) is prohibited in their country? Then why are we allowing them?” Robredo said.

She urged the government to be transparent with regard to its policy allowing more Chinese to work in the Philippines.

“How many (Chinese workers) have arrived in the country so far? What are their jobs here? Are they taking away the jobs from Filipinos?” she said.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III earlier said the Chinese could work in the Philippines, but only when the jobs could not be done by Filipinos.

He said Filipinos should be the priority for available jobs in the country.

Reports said many Chinese who are reportedly working in the Philippines illegally entered the country as tourists.

Of the 7.1 million tourist arrivals last year, the Chinese accounted for 1.2 million, second to South Koreans. – With Evelyn Macairan, Mayen Jaymalin