Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 5) — Police arrested two Chinese workers for a Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) on Thursday on suspicion of kidnapping three of their fellow Chinese nationals in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.

The alleged kidnappers were arrested in an operation at a house in Techwood Subdivision, in the city's Soong Village, a police report said.

The three Chinese victims were also rescued during the operation.

This is not the first time Chinese nationals and POGO workers were involved in a kidnapping incident in recent months.

In January, five Chinese suspects were arrested for the kidnapping of a female Taiwanese POGO worker in Makati City. In the same month, two Vietnamese women were rescued by authorities after they were abducted allegedly by Chinese nationals in Las Pinas City.

Senators have condemned the rising number of crimes committed by Chinese nationals in the country, including incidents of bribery and involvement in prostitution dens.

Senator Richard Gordon blamed the Duterte administration's "too soft" stance on China for the misdemeanor of its nationals but Malacañang maintained there is no special treatment for the Chinese. The President can also suspend POGO operations, the Palace said.

Meanwhile, the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines said the crimes involving Chinese workers are just "isolated incidents." It also condemned "fake news" against China.

Cebu-based journalist Dale Israel contributed to this report.