Inp.polri.go.id - Tangerang. A total of 569 Indonesian citizens have been identified as illegal online gambling operators in the Philippines, according to Inspector General Krishna Murti, the Indonesian National Police (INP)’s Head of the International Relations Division.

In a press conference on Wednesday (23/10/2024), he explained that a raid conducted on 31 August 2024, at the Tourist Garden Hotel in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu Province, uncovered their involvement in illegal offshore gaming operations.

Chief Krishna emphasized that these individuals were not victims of human trafficking but had willingly engaged in illegal online gambling activities.

“These workers knowingly took up these roles and even recruited others,” he said, as reported by antaranews.com.

Philippine authorities have arrested all operators, with two Indonesians currently detained. As many as 69 Indonesians have been deported in stages. On Monday, 10 were flown back, followed by 11 more on Wednesday. 

Further deportation is expected, with flights scheduled to Jakarta, Medan, and Manado.

Chief Krishna confirmed the deportation process is ongoing, with many already returned.

(mg/inp/pr/nm)