OPERATIVES of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) have arrested five foreigners and two Filipinos for operating an illegal online gaming hub in Makati City.
The raid also yielded 41 Filipino employees, who the CIDG said will be standing as witnesses against the suspects, which include three Taiwanese, a Myanmar national, a Chinese and the two Filipinos.
CIDG operatives, in coordination with the Southern Police District, raided the hub at B&P Building, Arnaiz Avenue in Barangay San Lorenzo, Makati City last Friday.
In a press briefing at Camp Crame, PNP chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III said the suspects were found to be operating an online gaming hub without license from the Philippine Gaming Corporation.
“Based on our investigation, the company is engaged in the illegal gambling using the website gameph.com,” said Torre.
“We have seen how they commit the fraud where people who bet will surely lose,” he also said.
Seized during the raid were 59 computer monitors, 27 desktop computers, 10 computer processors, 25 pre-registered SIM Cards, and 227 assorted identification cards, among others.
The suspects have been charged before the National Prosecution Service with violations of Presidential Decree 1602 (illegal gambling), Republic Act 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012), and Republic Act 8484 (Access Device Act of 1998).
CIDG director Brig. Gen. Christopher Abrahano said the operation underscores the government’s intensified efforts against all forms of illegal gambling.
“Rest assured that your CIDG is relentless in it’s fight against all criminalities and illegal activities, and unyielding to all law violators and criminals – local or foreign nationals,” said Abrahano.
“The CIDG is dauntless, the CIDG means business,” he added.
