Inspector General Krishna Murti, head of international relations for Indonesia’s National Police, has confirmed that 569 Indonesians have been arrested in the Philippines. The arrests stem from an illegal online gambling raid at the Tourist Garden Hotel in Lapu-Lapu City.
Murti stated, “They are not part of the victims of the human trafficking, but they are the perpetrators who consciously offered themselves to work in the Philippines.” Murti went on to say that the mastermind behind the operation was detained and that two of the Indonesians will remain in custody while the others are facing deportation.
67 of the detainees have already been sent to their home country, while the others have flights scheduled for the coming weeks. In the coming weeks, the scheme’s organizers will likely be exposed to the public.
President Marcos Bans POGO Gambling
In 2024, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. banned the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) program that allowed online casinos to operate from the Philippines. While these operations were expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic, it spurred an illegal industry of online gambling sites operating under the guise of legal POGO licensing. The sector was reported to be linked to human trafficking, kidnappings, and other violent crimes.
Most of the POGO industry was directed towards China, where all gambling is illegal. Despite China’s hard rhetoric towards the online gambling industry, it took years and a new president to overturn the program.
Is Online Gambling Legal In The Philippines?
Yes, online gambling from licensed casino sites is legal. Philippine players can access domestic online services and online casinos that service the Philippines from outside the country.
Online casinos have operated in the Philippines for over a decade and offer players a trusted source for gambling on blackjack, roulette, live dealer games, poker, and more. PH players can also find specialty games that accept real money wagers, including Keno, Bingo, and lottery games.
Will There Be More Arrests Linked To POGO’s
Yes, the Philippine National Police and the current administration have said they will crack down on illegal gambling operations and clean up the industry. Several high-profile raids have led to multiple arrests in areas like Cebu, Luzon, and more.