The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has deported 35 Indonesians who were arrested for their involvement in an illegal online gaming operation in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu. BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado confirmed that the group, consisting of 9 females and 26 males, were sent back to Indonesia via flights from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 on October 22.
The Indonesians, mostly in their 20s and 30s, were apprehended during a large-scale raid on August 31 targeting illegal gambling and scamming activities. The operation, conducted in coordination with multiple government agencies including the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), uncovered makeshift workstations inside a resort in Brgy. Agus, Lapu-Lapu City.
Commissioner Viado emphasized that the deportations are part of the government’s ongoing efforts to crack down on illegal online gambling. “This serves as a warning to foreigners engaged in such activities. We will continue to take strong action against those who violate the law,” he said.
The 35 deported individuals have been blacklisted by the BI and will no longer be allowed to return to the Philippines.
