Philippine Crackdown on Illegal Online Gambling Operations Leads to Major Raid

Philippine authorities conducted a major raid on a suspected illegal online gaming and cyberscam complex, detaining over 160 people, mostly Chinese and Indonesians, involved in internet-based crimes. The operation is part of a broader crackdown following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s ban on predominantly Chinese-run online gaming operations. The raid revealed extensive violations including financial scams, human trafficking, and other criminal activities.

Philippine authorities raided a suspected illegal online gaming and cyberscam complex in Lapu-Lapu city, detaining over 160 individuals, primarily from China and Indonesia. This operation forms part of a larger crackdown initiated after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. banned Chinese-run online gaming operations in July.

The raid was executed by over 100 government agents, backed by military intelligence, targeting a resort compound. The crackdown comes amid concerns over large-scale violations of Philippine laws and other criminal activities such as human trafficking and financial scams. The raid followed a request from the Indonesian Embassy for the rescue of eight citizens allegedly forced to work in the online gaming hub.

Those arrested include 83 Chinese, 70 Indonesians, and several others from Southeast Asia. They will be investigated and possibly deported. The resort owner could face charges for harboring illegal aliens. The crackdown has led to the shutdown of numerous illegal operations across the country.

(With inputs from agencies.)