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BackPhilippines launches massive crackdown on illegal online gambling, arresting more than 200 Chinese and other foreigners
Philippines launches massive crackdown on illegal online gambling, arresting more than 200 Chinese and other foreigners
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自由时报48 minutes agoCrime1 min readChinaView original

Philippines launches massive crackdown on illegal online gambling, arresting more than 200 Chinese and other foreigners

The Philippines recently launched its largest crackdown on illegal online gambling operators this year. Among the 244 foreigners arrested, "the vast majority are Chinese citizens."

Philippinesonline gamingChinese citizens

Quick Look

  • The Philippines recently launched its largest crackdown on illegal online gambling this year, raiding two locations on Mindanao Island and arresting 244 foreigners involved, the vast majority of whom were Chinese citizens.
  • The authorities seized a large number of communication equipment and investigated whether it was involved in human trafficking.

AI-generated summary

Why It Matters

The Philippines banned online gambling in 2024 due to the risk of covering up crimes such as human trafficking, money laundering, online fraud, kidnapping and murder.

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The Philippines recently launched its largest crackdown on illegal online gambling operators this year. Among the 244 foreigners arrested, "the vast majority are Chinese citizens."

The Philippine Immigration Bureau issued a statement on the evening of the 3rd, stating that the Philippine military and other law enforcement agencies raided two locations in the southern part of Mindanao Island on the 2nd, arresting 110 Chinese citizens, 2 Cambodians, and 1 Hong Kong resident at one location; as for the 131 foreigners arrested at the second location, "the vast majority are Chinese," as well as citizens of Malaysia, Indonesia, and Myanmar.

Philippine authorities also seized "a large number" of computer equipment, mobile phones, laptops and SIM cards during the raid, and are investigating whether some of the arrested people were involved in crimes related to human trafficking; other arrested foreigners will be deported.

The Philippines banned online gambling in 2024 due to the risk of covering up crimes such as human trafficking, money laundering, online fraud, kidnapping and murder. Philippine Immigration Director Joel Viado said in a statement that he will continue to enforce immigration laws against foreigners who violate the rules and ensure that the Philippines is not used as a base for illegal activities.

Ji Lingpeng, spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines, told AFP that it was communicating with Philippine law enforcement agencies on the details of the case, and said that Chinese law prohibits any form of gambling, including Chinese citizens gambling overseas or working for gambling companies.

What to Watch

AI outlook — possibilities, not facts

  • Arrested foreigners will be deported

    Very likely · Within weeks

Open Questions

  • When will an arrested alien be deported?
  • Is it confirmed that the person involved is involved in human trafficking?

Related Topics

Philippines
PeopleViaduJi Lingpeng
OrganizationsPhilippine Immigration ServiceChinese Embassy in PhilippinesAFP
Placesmindana'aChinacambodia
Topicsonline gamingChinese citizensmindanao islandhuman traffickingimmigration office
This article was originally published by 自由时报.

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