Fifteen Chinese nationals involved in illegal online gambling activities have been arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in two separate operations in Manila and Pampanga.
Arrested in Manila last Nov. 22 were Pan Jianbei, Pan Taiyuan, Jie Lu, Shengbo Zhang and Jian Lou Zhou.
Those arrested in Angeles City in Pampanga last Nov. 21 were Yu Shize, Lin Hai Yang, Li Jun Qing, Yu Wen Quian, Xiao Wen Lao, Cai Shui Rong, Lin Jingming, Ju Shi Lin, Qiu Zai Wei and Xiao Jian Ze.
NBI Director Dante Gierran said the suspects are facing a complaint for violating Presidential Decree 1602, the Anti-Illegal Gambling Act, in relation to Republic Act 10175, the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
The five Chinese nationals were arrested following the implementation of a search warrant by the NBIs Cybercrime Division (CCD) inside a condominium in Malate, Manila following complaints from foreign residents in the area.
NBI operatives seized from the condominium units mobile WiFi, router, passport copies, one-time passport devices, smartphones, laptops and desktops.
The operation in Angeles City was based on the complaint against illegal online gambling activities at the residence of a certain Li Kun Ling in Punta Verde Subdivision.
The NBI-CCD was also able to secure a search warrant and conducted the operation at the residence of the Chinese national who was not there.
Aside from arresting the 10 Chinese nationals, operatives also seized from the house desktops, smartphones, SIM cards, a router, a WiFi connector and a brush machine.
The suspects, according to the NBI failed to produce the necessary permits to operate an online gambling business./ac