Philippine authorities arrest more than 150 foreigners in online gambling operation

The Philippine Bureau of Immigration (BI) confirmed the arrest of more than 150 foreigners following an operation at an illegal online gambling center on Saturday.

The raid took place on the island of Cebu, with authorities breaking up “at least three scam companies” run by Chinese, Indonesian and Myanmar nationals, authorities said. Winston Casioa spokesman for the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission. A tip from the Indonesian embassy is said to have sparked the investigation.

“We have seen sufficient evidence to bring a cybercrime offence for facilitating cybercrime-related gambling and cybercrime-related qualified trading,” Casio said.

In a propositionThe BI described the situation with makeshift workstations set up at the resort in Lapu-Lapu City.

BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco oversaw the raid, which saw the arrested foreigners subjected to further interrogation before being deported. He also said that the resort owners should be held accountable.

“We will propose to the authorities to file lawsuits against resort owners who allow their properties to be used by illegal aliens in their secret operations,” Tansingco said.

“This will serve as a warning to those who attempt to start illegal online gambling activities, which have already been banned by the President,” he added.

Presidential intervention to ban offshore gambling activities

The operation was a joint operation coordinated by the BI, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine Center on Transnational Crime (PCTC) and the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT).

In July, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confirmed the ban on Philippine offshore gaming operators that provide services to foreign gamblers, particularly in China, where gambling is illegal.

The President expressed his displeasure over these activities during a speech to parliament, saying:

“Disguised as legitimate entities, their operations have ventured into illegal areas furthest from gambling, such as financial fraud, money laundering, prostitution, human trafficking, kidnapping, brutal torture and even murder.”

“The serious abuse and disrespect of our justice system must stop.”

Image credit: Via Ideogram

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