On September 1, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) of the Philippines suggested charges against resort owners who allow foreigners to use their facilities for illegal activities. This call was made following a raid in Barangay Agus, Lapu Lapu City, Cebu Province.
Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco stated, "We recommend that authorities prosecute those resort owners who allow illegal foreigners to use their properties for clandestine activities." He emphasized that this would deter individuals attempting to operate illegal online gambling, which has been banned by the president.
The raid was conducted jointly by the Immigration Bureau agents, 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), the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
During the raid, over 100 foreigners were arrested. The Bureau of Immigration stated that these foreigners are being investigated for overstaying and undocumented work, and were engaged in illegal online gaming activities at temporary workstations within the resort.
The arrested individuals will undergo interrogation and will be temporarily detained before deportation.
