569 Indonesians arrested in Philippines for illegal gambling operations

Philippine authorities have apprehended 569 Indonesian nationals for their involvement in illegal online gambling operations. The arrests were confirmed by Inspector General Krishna Murti, head of international relations for Indonesia’s National Police, during a press conference in Tangerang, Banten, on Wednesday.

The Indonesians were detained during a raid at the Tourist Garden Hotel in Lapu-Lapu city, Cebu province, on August 31, 2024. The operation was carried out by Philippine law enforcement in response to an offshore gaming operator’s illegal activities.

“They are not part of victims of the human trafficking but they are the perpetrators who consciously offered themselves to work in the Philippines,” Murti stated, as per news agency ANTARA, dispelling any speculation that the Indonesians had been coerced into the illegal scheme.

According to Murti, the investigation by the Philippine police resulted in the capture of both the mastermind behind the operation and the Indonesian operators who managed the online gambling dens. Two of the Indonesians remain in detention, while the majority face deportation.

Law enforcement agencies have begun repatriating those involved. Murti confirmed that the first group of 35 Indonesians had already been sent home earlier in the month. A second group of 32 individuals followed on October 22–23, with flights scheduled for Jakarta, Medan, and Manado.

The authorities are now probing the broader network behind the operation. “We should reveal the organizers and the scheme. We will conduct an in-depth investigation regarding this matter,” Murti explained.