Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 5)— Lawmakers on Thursday expressed concern over the growing number of crimes allegedly involving Chinese workers, saying it’s high time for the Philippine government to commence its own crackdown on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO)-related cases.

Speaking to CNN Philippines’ The Source, House committee on defense vice chairperson Ruffy Biazon signified the need for a united task force— one he recommended should be headed by the country’s top security officials.

“Get these agencies together, organize them, give them that particular mandate with regard to being on the lookout. Agencies concerned with national security should be on top of that particular group,” Biazon said, hinting that National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. may be the one to spearhead the proposed committee.

The government’s task force on POGO was formed last year— comprising of officials from the Finance Department (Bureau of Internal Revenue), the Labor Department, the Immigration Bureau, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, among others.

Biazon, however, said the agencies have been “too compartmentalized” with their own mandates, thus letting the cases take a backseat in the priority list.

“There should be inter-cooperation from the perspective… especially when you talk about border. It’s about national security. They should be operating among and between themselves,” the solon added.

The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee has opened its initial inquiry on the POGO-related crimes in the Philippines, including the controversial money laundering scheme. Senator Richard Gordon, chair of the panel, earlier revealed that 47 individuals, mostly Chinese nationals, arrived in the Philippines carrying $447 million or ₱22.7 billion.

RELATED: Dirty money laundered in PH because Duterte admin is 'too soft' on China – Gordon

China last week began its own crackdown on its nationals working for the Philippines, following other reported violations including the online sex trafficking scheme and the controversial airport payoff “pastillas” plot.

Over ₱27 billion worth of tax liabilities also remain uncollected from the POGO sector, BIR earlier said.

‘Making a mockery of PH laws’

Meanwhile, House Minority Leader Benny Abante likewise called for a total ban of the POGO industry in the country, urging President Rodrigo Duterte to immediately act on the matter.

“As we're investigating it, we're requesting the President to act on it now. Because wala na eh, niloloko na tayo dito (they’re already fooling us),” Abante said in the same interview.

He also took a swipe at the erring Chinese workers, saying that they have been “mocking” the Philippine laws.

“I think these people are making a mockery of our laws. Napakadali sa Pilipinas (it’s easy to get past this in the Philippines) so they can do what they want to do. One of it is our fault. Money can do anything, money talks.”

Biazon shared the sentiment, saying the country has consistently been on the losing end with its warm welcome on foreign workers. He claimed some POGO workers have attempted to use the same Taxpayer Identification Number, and that the proliferation of the gaming industry has posed a negative impact on the local real property sector.

Malacañang earlier said the President may order to stop all POGO operations, amid the rising— and wide range— of crimes supposedly linked to the industry.