China could use offshore casinos as 'trojan horses' for surprise attacks on Philippines, warn analysts
- In Reports
- 09:19 PM, Jun 24, 2024
- Myind Staff
Warnings have been issued for offshore casinos in the Philippines, with analysts cautioning that they could act as a Trojan horse for China in the event of a conflict.
A Trojan horse refers to a method by which an adversary conducts subversive activities from within. The term originates from a tale in the Trojan Wars, where the ancient Greeks used a large wooden horse to infiltrate the city of Troy. Believing the horse to be a gift, the Trojans brought it inside their city, unaware that Greek soldiers were hidden inside. These soldiers later emerged from the horse and opened the gates, allowing the Greek forces to enter and capture Troy.
Analysts have warned that China may similarly use offshore casinos to launch a surprise attack on the Philippines, according to the Philippine Daily Inquirer. These casinos, formally known as Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO), could potentially be exploited for such purposes.
Chester Cabalza, President and Founder of International Development and Security Cooperation (IDSC), told the newspaper, "The Pogos are deemed as a Trojan horse that can stage a surprise attack in the Philippines for their unrestricted warfare."
In recent years, offshore casinos, particularly those operated under Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO), have faced scrutiny. Concerns have been raised about their proximity to military installations, raising suspicions of potential espionage activities.
According to reports from the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Chinese casinos and POGOs are located near significant military sites such as the Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame (Quezon City), the Philippine Air Force headquarters in Pasay City, the Philippine Army headquarters in Taguig City, and the Philippine Navy headquarters in Manila.
Chester Cabalza, from the International Development and Security Cooperation (IDSC), emphasised that this situation poses a threat to national security. The presence of these casinos near military facilities has heightened concerns about potential risks and the exploitation of these locations for covert activities.
Cabalza stated, "The key strategic locations of POGOs are also sensitive to our national security since they become perimeters for espionage."
Earlier this month, a casino raid uncovered military uniforms, sparking concerns. However, the military has downplayed the discovery, suggesting the uniforms were likely used as props in illicit activities unrelated to national security. Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla, a military spokesperson, emphasised that the intention was not to incite unnecessary panic.
Padilla explained, "The presence of Chinese military uniforms may have been intended as props in these illicit online transactions. The limited number of PLA (People’s Liberation Army) uniforms found suggests they are more indicative of their use in deceptive activities rather than preparations for any invasion."
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), security expert Collin Koh mentioned that while there is a potential risk of military infiltration, the discovery of military uniforms could also be attributed to disbanded Chinese soldiers taking up civilian jobs.
Koh stated, "While there’s certainly a possible risk of PLA servicemen being infiltrated into the Philippines, another factor worth considering is that every year, large batches of PLA servicemen are demobilised and usually find jobs abroad – and they bring their rugged fatigues along as work attire." Koh, a research fellow at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, emphasised this perspective.
Image Source: Linkedin
Comments