Chinese government demands TK
Chinese nationals who illegally provided online gaming at a casino in the Philippines were arrested following a raid on November 24, reports the Philippine Inquirer.
“The 1,318 Chinese will be charged with overstaying, working violation of the limitations and conditions of their visa, and engaging in an unlicensed online gaming business,” said Bureau of Immigration spokeswoman Tonette Mangrobang.
Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said there had been efforts to offer as high as P200,000 (US$4,020) in exchange for the release of the Chinese nationals. “But we will not be deterred. We will be uncompromising in our fight against crime and corruption,” Aguirre said in a statement. “We are sending a message to all who break any of our laws. Break it and we will go after you.”
Online gaming is stringently regulated in the Philippines. Only two entities are legally permitted to offer the games: the Philippine Gaming and Amusement Corp., the state-owned regulator, and the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority.
The Chinese nationals, who were arrested at an operation in the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga Province, were reportedly running an online casino for Macau-based gaming tycoon Jack Lam’s. Lam’s casino is only licensed to offer on-site games.
According to the Xinhua news agency, some of the suspects tried to escape by crawling through windows and going up onto the roof. Immigration agents apprehended them with the help of the elite Special Action Force of the Philippine National Police.
“Our agents were able to witness the Chinese really working during the raid,” said Commissioner Jaime Morente, the head of the Bureau of Immigration. Morente said the casino’s Chinese employees entered the Philippines on tourist visas.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said China asked the Philippines government to release all arrestees who have legal identification. “China expresses concern over the large number of Chinese citizens detained by the Philippines,” Geng said.
