Resort owners in Silang, Cavite may face charges if found that they "knowingly harbored" the operation of an alleged illegal online gaming facility where 29 foreigners were arrested.
“If during our investigation, we discover that they have knowingly harbored these illegal workers, then they will face cases for violations of the Philippine Immigration Law,” said BI Commissioner Joel Antony Viado said in a statement.
Viado pointed out that Section 46 of the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940 prohibits harboring illegal aliens and violators may face up to 10 years in prison.
He said that 29 aliens were arrested by authorities last Wednesday, Jan. 15, at a private resort and events place in Silang where the illegal online gaming facility was found.
The operation was conducted by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) and the BI’s Fugitive Search Unit (BI-FSU) and Anti-Terrorist Group (BI-ATG).
“I issued a mission order for the operation after the BI received an intelligence report that the referenced Chinese fugitive was at the resort where illegal POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator) activities have been reported,” Viado said.
“Physical custody of these foreigners will be with the PAOCC but they will be under the legal custody of the BI due to ongoing deportation proceedings,” he said.