Today (January 18), the Bureau of Immigration of the Philippines disclosed that last night, the agency raided an illegal offshore gambling den in the City of Parañaque, Greater Manila, and arrested 32 illegal offshore gambling operators during the operation.
The head of the BI intelligence division, Fortunato Manahan Jr., reported to the Immigration Commissioner that on the evening of January 17, the BI intelligence division and the National Bureau of Investigation jointly operated in a building in Aseana City, Parañaque, where they discovered several foreigners engaged in online gambling and internet fraud activities. In this operation, the BI arrested 20 Chinese, 11 Malaysians, and 1 Cambodian.
After preliminary investigations, authorities found they were involved in illegal activities including "pig-butchering" romance scams.
Joel Anthony Viado, the Director of the Bureau of Immigration, commended the operation and stated that they will continue to strengthen actions against illegal offshore gambling.
Viado stated: "This serves as a warning to those foreigners who blatantly engage in illegal operations, despite the President's order prohibiting them, they continue to engage in illegal activities." He warned, "We will not stop until all illegal foreign nationals are arrested and deported."
The Immigration Bureau stated that following President Marcos's announcement of a nationwide ban on offshore gambling operations, more arrests and deportations are expected. The 32 foreigners will be temporarily detained by the National Bureau of Investigation and will continue to undergo deportation proceedings by the Immigration Bureau.
The Director's remarks are not empty threats but are concrete actions against the pervasive online gambling and fraud syndicates.
Entering 2025, it has been less than three weeks, and this is already the third raid on an online gambling and fraud den by the Philippine authorities. If I remember correctly, the first raid on an offshore gambling den was also in Aseana City, Parañaque, on January 8. That is to say, three have been raided in less than 10 days.
For the previous two times, see the previous articles "Exclusive Breaking News! Bureau of Immigration of the Philippines: About 400 'Chinese and illegal foreigners engaged in fraudulent activities' arrested in Parañaque City" and "23 Chinese caught following a report by a resort owner—Philippine authorities raid an illegal gambling den in Jamindan."
On January 16, just after the offshore gambling den in Silang, Cavite, was raided, the Immigration Bureau also stated that resort owners suspected of sheltering foreigners engaged in illegal offshore gambling activities might be held legally responsible.
Director Viado pointed out: "If investigations confirm that these owners knowingly harbored the suspects, they will be prosecuted under Article 46 of the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940." According to this article, harboring illegal foreigners can result in a maximum of 10 years imprisonment.
We have also mentioned before that if property owners and operators are found to be harboring illegal offshore gambling syndicates, they could face property confiscation penalties.
In recent years, illegal offshore gambling activities and issues with illegal foreigners in the Philippines have been frequent, causing widespread social concern. This incident once again warns operators to strictly comply with the law, avoid providing venues or conveniences for illegal activities, or face severe penalties.
All this demonstrates the Philippine authorities' determination to completely ban offshore gambling and their stance to eradicate roaming offshore gambling syndicates.
