Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 1) — Authorities arrested eight Chinese nationals in Makati City on Thursday for allegedly engaging in illegal online gambling.
Police and immigration agents raided a house at the plush San Lorenzo Village in the Makati Central Business District.
Authorities recovered a number of high-end computers and internet routers supposedly used for gambling.
One of the suspects said he was innocent and was only invited to the house. The others refused to comment.
Director Guillermo Eleazar, Metro Manila police chief, said the suspects have no license from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation and Makati city hall to operate offshore gambling.
He said the suspects will face charges for violating the cybercrime prevention law. Immigration officials are also verifying the status of the Chinese nationals.
Eleazar said homeowner associations and landlords should closely monitor tenant activities, especially in urban centers.
“Una dapat responsibility nila yun na namo-monitor nila kung sino yung mga tenants nila doon. So pag nakita natin na merong kapabayaan sa kanila, then we can always include them sa ating mga respondents or mga suspects sa pag-file ng kaso,” he said.
