Jung Min-ho has worked as a staff writer at The Korea Times since 2012, mostly covering social and political issues. He currently belongs to the Politics & City Desk where he covers topics such as health, labor and human rights. Prior to joining the team, he was responsible for covering North Korea and sports. His article about a biosecurity breach of Middle East respiratory syndrome won him an award from the Korea Science Journalists Association in 2016. He is also the co-author of the book, "Medical Pioneers of Korea" (2019). He served as the head of the international relations committee at the Journalists Association of Korea from 2021 to 2023.
Chinese-only businesses in Philippines under probe
Screen grab of INQUIRER.net's website
By Jung Min-ho
By Jung Min-ho
Philippine authorities have launched an investigation into some business owners accused of exclusively catering to Chinese customers in the country.
According to
Monday, the country's presidential office ordered the Department of Labor and Employment to look into allegations that some Chinese-owned restaurants and other businesses refuse to serve Filipino customers.
The move comes a day after Senator Panfilo Lacson urged the government to “shut down” such businesses.
“We should prioritize Filipino entrepreneurs,” Lacson was quoted as saying in a radio interview. “If investors coming from China would do business even in SMEs, that will be alarming because many of our countrymen will be deprived of investment opportunities.”
Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III also criticized them.
“Business firms operating in the Philippines are not allowed to discriminate,” Pimentel said. “Limiting customers to Chinese people only is a form of discrimination … Close them down for violating the Constitution.”
Previously, netizens accused a Chinese restaurant in Alabang, Muntinlupa City, on social media of refusing to serve Filipino customers. There have also been reports that some stores in Makati and Pasay do not welcome Filipinos.