OVER 100 FOREIGNERS NABBED IN CEBU ILLEGAL ONLINE GAMING HUB

THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported the arrest of more than 100 foreign nationals in an illegal online gaming hub in Cebu on Saturday.

BI Intelligence Division chief Fortunato Manahan Jr. said the operations in a resort in Bgy. Agus in Lapu-lapu City, Cebu was conducted in coordination with the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine Center on Transnational Crime (PCTC), and the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT).

Personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)  were also present to assist possible trafficking victims.

The raid stemmed from a mission order issued by BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco against 13 illegal aliens monitored to be overstaying and working without permit in the said hub.

During the raid, hundreds of foreign nationals were found to be engaging in illegal online gaming operations on makeshift work stations inside the resort premises.

The arrested foreign nationals will undergo inquest proceedings and will be temporarily detained prior to deportation.

Tansingco said that he believes resort owners should also face charges for harboring illegal aliens in the area.

“We will suggest to the authorities to file cases against resort owners for allowing their properties to be used by illegal aliens in their covert operations,” said Tansingco.

“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,” he added.