Philippines set to deport immigrants for illegal online gambling

The Philippines is preparing to deport 1,318 Chinese nationals for their part in an illegal online gambling scheme in the country.

Last week, national authorities arrested a number of undocumented Chinese immigrants after a raid at Fontana Leisure Parks & Casino in Clark, Pampanga.

Jaime Morente, commissioner of the Philippine Bureau of Immigration, said all those arrested were working as agents or operators for a call centre without holding the necessary permits.

The Philippine Daily Inquirer has now reported that all 1,318 individuals will now be deported from the Philippines, with the Bureau of Immigration stating that they violated immigration laws by going beyond an authorised period of stay in the country and went against the conditions of their visas.

“The 1,318 Chinese will be charged for overstaying, working in violation of the limitations and conditions of their visa, and engaging in an unlicensed online gaming business,” a Bureau spokesperson said.

“It appears that they legally entered the country but failed to legalise their stay here; they entered as tourists.”

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