Archive · 4 Oct 2026
Philippines Arrests 244 Foreign Workers in Illegal Gaming Raids
Philippine authorities raided two sites in Mindanao on Friday.
They arrested 244 foreign nationals, most of whom were described as Chinese.
People from several other places were also arrested.
Officers took computers, phones, laptops and SIM cards from the sites.
The government is checking whether some of the arrested people may be connected to human trafficking.
Those not being investigated for those offences are expected to be deported.
The Philippines banned its online gaming operators in 2024.
The government said criminal groups had used such businesses as cover for illegal activities.
Authorities arrested 244 foreign nationals in raids on two sites in Mindanao.
The immigration bureau described the group as mostly Chinese; those arrested also included citizens of Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia and Myanmar, and a Hong Kong resident.
The military and other law enforcement agencies carried out the raids on Friday.
Officers seized computer equipment, mobile phones, laptops and SIM cards.
Some of those arrested are being investigated for possible human trafficking-related offences; the rest will be deported.
- Who
- Philippine authorities arrested 244 foreign nationals, mostly Chinese, according to the immigration bureau.
- What
- Authorities raided two sites linked to illegal online gaming operations and seized electronic equipment.
- When
- The raids took place Friday; the immigration bureau released its statement on Saturday.
- Where
- Two sites in Mindanao, in the southern Philippines.
- Why
- The crackdown targeted illegal online gaming operators. The government has said organised crime groups used Philippine online gaming operators as cover for crimes including human trafficking and online fraud.
- Arrested
- 244 foreign nationals across two sites
- First site
- 110 Chinese nationals, two Cambodians and one Hong Kong resident
- Second site
- 131 foreigners, described as mostly Chinese; citizens of Malaysia, Indonesia and Myanmar were also included
- Location
- Mindanao, southern Philippines
- Raids
- Conducted Friday by the military and other law enforcement agencies
- Seized items
- Computer equipment, mobile phones, laptops and SIM cards
- Next steps
- Some arrestees are under investigation for possible human trafficking-related offences; the rest will be deported
- POGO ban
- The Philippines banned Philippine online gaming operators in 2024