Authorities raided a suspected illegal online gaming and cyberscam complex in a central province and took into custody more than 160 people – mostly Chinese and Indonesians – who were committing Internet-based crimes, officials said.
The raid on Saturday by more than 100 government agents, backed by military intelligence, on a resort compound in Lapu-Lapu city was part of an ongoing crackdown after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr ordered a ban in July on widespread – and mostly Chinese-run – online gaming operations that cater mostly to clients in China, where illegal gambling is banned.
Marcos said then that the massive illegal gambling operations have ignored Philippine laws with large-scale violations of regulations and also committed other crimes, including financial scams, human trafficking, torture, kidnappings and murder.
The raid at the Tourist Garden Resort, which has 10 buildings with swimming pools, karaoke bars and restaurants, came after the Indonesian Embassy in Manila requested the rescue of eight Indonesians who were reportedly forced to work in the online gaming hub, according to the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission.
At least 162 foreign nationals “were found working in three separate scam farms within the compound”, the commission said without elaborating.
Such crimes include fraudulent love, gaming and investment schemes online that have defrauded victims of large amounts of money, according to Philippine officials.
The 83 Chinese, 70 Indonesians, six Myanmar nationals, two Taiwanese and a Malaysian will be flown to Manila to face an investigation by the Bureau of Immigration and possible deportation, it added.
The owner of the hotel compound was arrested and could face criminal complaints, including for harbouring illegally staying foreigners, the commission and immigration officials said.
“We will suggest to the authorities to file cases against resort owners who allow their properties to be used by illegal aliens in their covert operations,” Tansingco said. “This will serve as a warning to those who might attempt to start illegal online gambling operations.”
Marcos’ move to ban the Chinese-run online gambling outfits – estimated to number more than 400 across the Philippines and believed to be employing tens of thousands of Chinese and South-East Asian nationals – was welcomed by Beijing.
It has led to the shutdown of several sprawling complexes where authorities suspect thousands of Chinese, Vietnamese, Indonesians and others mostly from South-East Asia have been illegally recruited and forced to work in oppressive conditions. — AP
