A Philippine senator leading an investigation into illegal online gambling and scam call centers run by Chinese criminal syndicates in Southeast Asian countries has called on China to take more action against these operations. The U.N. human rights office has reported that these criminal gangs have coerced hundreds of thousands of individuals into participating in various fraudulent activities, including online scams and illegal gambling schemes.
The senator emphasized the need for stronger international cooperation to combat cybercrime, as these criminal activities not only undermine the rule of law but could also potentially serve as a platform for espionage. While there is no direct evidence linking the gambling hubs to Chinese surveillance operations, the proximity of these centers to sensitive locations, such as a Philippine air force base and a residential compound housing American diplomats and military officials, has raised concerns.
Chinese-run online gambling establishments in the Philippines, estimated to exceed 400 in number, employ tens of thousands of Chinese and Southeast Asian nationals, many of whom are believed to have been trafficked into the country illegally. Despite China's ban on gambling, a significant portion of the clientele for these online syndicates comprises mainland Chinese citizens who flout their government's prohibition.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. recently imposed a ban on online gambling operations in the Philippines, citing various crimes associated with these activities, including financial scams, human trafficking, and even murder. The senator criticized China for not doing enough to address these issues, given its significant influence and power.
The Chinese government has claimed to cooperate with Filipino authorities in shutting down illegal online gambling and scam operations run by Chinese syndicates in the Philippines, leading to the rescue of numerous individuals who were illegally recruited and forced to participate in these illicit activities. The senator also highlighted the proliferation of lucrative online gambling operations catering to Chinese citizens in other Southeast Asian countries allied with Beijing, such as Cambodia and Myanmar.
The online gambling industry's growth in the Philippines has been attributed to corruption within government regulatory agencies and alleged payoffs to officials. Recent scandals involving local officials, including the dismissal of a town mayor linked to an illegal online gambling complex, have further underscored the challenges posed by these illicit activities.
The former mayor, who fled the Philippines but was subsequently arrested in Indonesia and deported back to Manila, has denied any wrongdoing and remains in detention pending further legal proceedings.
