By Atty. Howie Calleja
Allow me to begin by defining what “Assimilation” means. Social scientists would describe it as “the process by which a minority integrates socially, culturally, and/or politically into a larger, dominant culture and society”. The term assimilation is often used in reference to immigrants and ethnic groups settling in another social environment. Immigrants acquire new customs and attitudes through contact and communication with their new surroundings while they also introduce some of their own cultural traits to that society (inclusive of all “negative” implications).
Assimilation usually involves a slow change of fluctuating degree. Any group (such as a state, immigrant population, or ethnicity) may choose to adopt a different culture for a variety of reasons such as political relevance or perceived advantage. However, a group may also be forced or feel compelled to do otherwise as a result of imperialistic conquest, political subterfuge or drastic desire to be indistinguishable from the natives of that society.
Aside from our current disputes with China vis-à-vis the West Philippine Sea (e.g. illegal claims and artificial islands); we are likewise seeing a much sinister approach through social integration and/or assimilation. Shockingly, we have recently discovered that the identity of Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo is likely to be Chinese; to which the raided Philippine offshore gaming operation (POGO) under Hongsheng Gaming Technology, Inc. has strong ties with her.
In this POGO operation in Tarlac, 167 Chinese Nationals (with 40 more Chinese nationals are set for deportation soon) were deported to which the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) said these Chinese Nationals worked as scammers in this “so-called” offshore gambling hub. Sen. Gatchalian cites (based on a survey) that the POGO industry is “injurious” to the country because of the proliferation of vices; increase in POGO-related crime incidents involving Chinese nationals; tax evasion of POGOs; the increasing number of Chinese nationals illegally employed by POGOs; no additional opportunities given to Filipinos; and increasing cost of rent, residential, or business properties.
In another current case, the PAOCC lately stormed a hospital at Hobbies of Asia Building along Macapagal Avenue in Pasay City for unlawfully operating without license and purportedly has links to POGOs. In a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon public briefing, PAOCC spokesperson Winston John Casio said the unlicensed Pasay hospital is not the only fake hospital in PAOCC’s radar.
A Chinese invasion is slowly creeping into Philippine society through their gradual social assimilation. Sadly, all these Chinese activities were allowed and processed through connivance with Filipino local and national leaders who all turned a blind eye for 30 pieces of silver. If this is not a creeping invasion then what is this? Unlike Chinatown which is a naturally created social environment of Filipino-Chinese locals; we are seeing artificial “social hubs” for social integration.
The Philippine government should start securing these properties not only because they are illegal but more importantly since it cuddles illegal activities such as scamming, illegal gambling and even worse a breeding ground for human trafficking, kidnapping, physical injuries, etc. Gloomily, these has been protected by some local and national government officials sprouting like mushrooms during the Duterte administration — a sad fact indeed!