2T Chinese in online gambling monitored

CEBU, Philippines — At least 2,000 more Chinese nationals allegedly involved in illegal online gambling operations in Lapu-Lapu City are being monitored by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-7 following the arrest of their 181 compatriots over the weekend.

Police Major Niño Briones of CIDG-7 said they received information that the company where the arrested Chinese nationals worked still has 2,000 workers assigned on daytime shift.

“Doon sa nakuha natin na information, marami pa silang kasama kasi by shifting yung duty nila. It’s a two-shift operations, so ang nakuha natin ay yung panggabi, ang pinakamarami ay allegedly yung pang-umaga na mga 2,000 plus ang Chinese plus ang Chinese operators,” Briones said.

Briones said the 181 arrested Chinese nationals could not present documents to prove their online gambling operation is legal and authorized by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). Even the lawyers of the company could not present any.

“During the raid that we conducted the other day, wala silang mapakitang papel or documents pertaining to the said online gambling operation,” Briones said.

The Chinese nationals also failed to present documents such as passport to support their stay here. The police also observed that the suspects were hiding their identity from the authorities.

“Mapapansin mo pa-iba-iba sila ng pangalan, first day, ito ang pangalan nila, second day, iba yung ibibigay na pangalan na naman, this time nag –double check kami, iba na naman ang ibinigay na pangalan ng mga Chinese detainees,” Briones said.

“Makikita mo doon pa lang meron ng fraud na ginagawa against the government of the Philippines ba,” Briones added.

The police are also suspecting that there are minors among the arrested Chinese nationals. He said that they are having difficulty in investigating the suspects because of language barrier.

The CIDG-7 operatives swooped into the operations of the suspects in a hotel in Barangay Mactan, Lapu-Lapu City last Saturday to implement a search warrant for illegal online gambling. The company allegedly posed as business process outsourcing or call center.

Briones said they will leave the possible deportation of the suspects with the Bureau of Immigration after the filing of the appropriate charges today.

“They will be charge for violating the PD 1602 in relation to Anti-Cybercrime Act law, of course  hinahabol natin lahat ng papel so that they will be (subjected) to inquest by tomorrow.” Briones said. (FREEMAN)