Philippine Authorities Detain Over 160 in Massive Online Gaming Raid
Philippine officials conducted a major raid on an illegal online gaming complex, detaining over 160 foreign nationals. The operation is part of President Marcos Jr.'s crackdown on widespread illegal gambling activities.
In a significant operation against illegal online gaming, Philippine authorities have detained more than 160 foreign nationals at a resort complex in Lapu-Lapu City. The raid, conducted on August 31, 2024, is part of an ongoing crackdown initiated by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. against widespread illegal gambling operations in the country.
The operation targeted the Tourist Garden Resort, a compound featuring 10 buildings with various amenities. Over 100 government agents, supported by military intelligence, executed the raid following a request from the Indonesian Embassy in Manila to rescue eight of its citizens allegedly forced to work in the online gaming hub.
Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered a ban on these operations in July 2023, citing numerous legal violations and associated crimes such as financial fraud, human trafficking, and violent offenses. The Philippines, an archipelagic nation of over 7,600 islands with a population exceeding 110 million, has been grappling with the complexities of the online gambling industry for years.
Among those detained were 83 Chinese, 70 Indonesian, 6 Myanmar, 2 Taiwanese, and 1 Malaysian national. The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission stated that these individuals were found working in three separate "scam farms" within the compound. These operations typically involve fraudulent schemes targeting victims online.
The detainees are set to be transferred to Manila for investigation by the Bureau of Immigration, with potential deportation on the horizon. The resort owner faces arrest and possible criminal charges, including harboring illegal foreign residents.
"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. This will serve as a warning to those who might attempt to start illegal online gambling operations."
The crackdown has led to the closure of numerous complexes suspected of illegally recruiting and exploiting workers from China and Southeast Asian countries. This action has been welcomed by Beijing, as online gambling remains illegal in China.
The Philippine online gambling industry, which became legal in 2003 with the establishment of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), has significantly impacted the country's economy. However, it has also been linked to various criminal activities and corruption within government regulatory agencies.
In a related development, authorities are searching for Alice Guo, a dismissed mayor from Tarlac province, who allegedly fled the country in July 2024. Guo faces accusations of links to a large online gambling complex and fraudulently concealing her Chinese nationality to run for public office.
The ongoing investigations and crackdowns highlight the complex challenges faced by the Philippines in regulating the online gambling sector and combating associated criminal activities. As of 2023, the country ranked 115th out of 180 nations in the Corruption Perceptions Index, underscoring the need for continued efforts to address these issues.
