Security forces in the Philippines detained over 150 foreign nationals working at an illegal gambling facility on the island of Cebu. [Image: Shutterstock.com]

Foreigners detained in gambling raid

More than 150 foreign nationals were arrested in a raid on an illegal gambling facility in the Philippines this past Saturday.

The facility, in Lapu-Lapu City on the island of Cebu, was home to around 162 foreign nationals, mostly from China and Myanmar, who are alleged to have been involved in illegal gambling and scam call operations.

the raid came as part of a request from the Indonesian embassy

According to Winston Casio, spokesman for the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission, the raid came as part of a request from the Indonesian embassy.

“We’ve seen enough evidence to be able to file a cybercrime offence, for facilitating cybercrime-related gambling, cybercrime-related qualified trafficking”, Casio added in a live-streamed briefing.

Philippines cracks down on POGOs

All offshore gaming operators in the Philippines, known as POGOs, were banned in the country in July 2024. POGOs mostly target nationals in other countries, such as China, and have been involved in other crimes such as human trafficking.

The Philippines has been carrying out a major crackdown on illegal operators this year, even raiding a plastic surgery center which was being used by online casino operators to change their identities.

At the time of the ban, around 40,000 people were estimated to be employed in the industry in the Philippines, which contributed a gross 166.5bn pesos ($2.9bn) of revenue a year to the Philippine government.

Government officials, however, have claimed that the net cost to the Philippines was around 99.52bn pesos ($1.7bn) annually. The costs are largely attributed to reputational harm and crime, which negatively impacts both foreign investment and tourism.

Immigration laws breached

The Anti-Organized Crime Commission also stated that “All foreign nationals will be brought to Manila to face inquest proceedings for violation of immigration laws.”

Norman Tansingco, the commissioner of the Bureau of Immigration, also said that operators could be held responsible for any undocumented immigrants found to be operating on their premises.

we will suggest to the authorities to file cases against resort owners”

Tansingco said: “We will suggest to the authorities to file cases against resort owners that 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, which has already been banned by the President.”