Philippine authorities have detained more than 240 foreign workers, most of them Chinese nationals, as part of a major crackdown on illegal online gambling operations this year.
The Philippine Bureau of Immigration said the large-scale raids were carried out separately by the military and law enforcement agencies at two locations in the southern region of Mindanao.
At the first location, authorities detained 110 Chinese nationals, two Cambodian nationals and one Hong Kong resident.
A further 131 foreign nationals were detained at the second location, most of them Chinese, along with nationals from Malaysia, Indonesia and Myanmar.
Authorities also seized a large quantity of computer equipment, mobile phones, laptops and SIM cards during the raids.
Philippine Immigration Commissioner Joel Viado said the government was investigating possible human trafficking offences involving some of those detained, while others would be deported.
“We will continue enforcing immigration laws against foreign nationals who violate the conditions of their stay and ensure the Philippines is not used as a base for illegal activities,” he said.
Viado described the operation as the Philippines’ largest crackdown on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) so far in 2026.
The Manila government banned POGO operations in 2024 after finding that the sector was frequently used by organised crime groups as a cover for human trafficking, money laundering, online scams, kidnapping and murder.
The Chinese Embassy in Manila has yet to issue an official statement on the detention of its nationals.
