Nine arrested over alleged illegal online gambling in the Philippines
The Bureau of Immigration has detained eight Chinese nationals and one Vietnamese national in Pasay City.
The Philippines.- The Philippine Bureau of Immigration (BI) has arrested nine foreign nationals allegedly involved in operating an illegal online gambling hub in Pasay City. According to the BI, the operation was conducted last week by the Bureau’s Fugitive Search Unit (FSU) in coordination with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), following intelligence provided by Chinese authorities.
Immigration agents raided three condominium units in a residential tower along Sunrise Drive, Barangay 76, where they encountered nine foreign nationals allegedly engaged in illegal online gambling activities. Those arrested included eight Chinese nationals in their late 20s and early 30s, as well as a 33-year-old Vietnamese national.
A preliminary immigration check found that one of the Chinese nationals had overstayed after the expiration of his visa, while four others had no recorded arrival in the Bureau’s immigration database, suggesting they may have entered the Philippines illegally. Authorities also said that none of the nine individuals was able to present valid passports or immigration documents during the operation.
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said: “The Bureau remains relentless in identifying and removing foreign nationals who violate our immigration laws and exploit the country for unlawful activities. Through intelligence-driven operations and close coordination with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to protect the integrity of our borders and ensure that those who abuse our hospitality are held accountable.”
The nine foreign nationals have been transferred to the BI Warden Facility, where they will remain while deportation proceedings are conducted for alleged violations of Philippine immigration laws.
