Philippine law enforcement recently raided an office building in Makati City, which houses several international organizations and foreign embassies, but was found to conceal an illegal online gambling company. The raid resulted in the arrest of 131 employees from mainland China, Taiwan, Japan, Malaysia, and other regions, drawing international attention.
Reportedly, the operation was led by the Anti-Organized Crime Commission of the Office of the President of the Philippines, in collaboration with multiple law enforcement teams. Based on intelligence, the officers targeted the 21st floor of the building and discovered an illegally operated offshore gambling hub during the raid, with numerous employees engaged in gambling-related activities.
The Philippine government immediately arrested all employees present and initiated further investigations. According to the Taiwan Representative Office in the Philippines, at least 11 Taiwanese citizens were among those arrested. Additionally, embassies from countries like South Africa and Canada, as well as offices of several international organizations, are located in the building, which has also raised diplomatic concerns.
In recent years, the Philippines has become a hotbed for the online gambling industry in Asia, but due to lax regulation, many illegal gambling groups have infiltrated the market. The Philippine government has recently intensified efforts to crack down on illegal gambling, conducting multiple raids on similar operations.
The exposure of this case highlights the Philippine government's stern stance against illegal gambling activities and serves as a reminder that criminal groups often use seemingly legitimate business establishments to cover their illegal operations. Relevant units should remain vigilant and strengthen supervision.
