Six South Korean nationals were arrested during a raid of a suspected illegal online gambling hub in Pasay City, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on Tuesday, Feb. 18.

"We continue to intensify our enforcement actions against foreign nationals violating Philippine laws, in line with the administration’s directive to maintain law and order," declared BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado in a statement on Tuesday, Feb. 18.

Viado identified the six Koreans as Hang Jungjo, Han Miran, Park Nohwon, Kim Youngheon, Ko Bong Suk, Park Seiyeon.

He said the six foreigners were arrested during an operation conducted by the BI’s Fugitive Search Unit last Monday, Feb. 17, against the alleged illegal online gambling hub found inside a hotel in Pasay City. 

He also said the operation was done in coordination with  the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Southern Police District Field Unit (CIDG-SPIDFU).

“This successful operation reflects our unwavering commitment to cracking down on illegal foreign operations in the country, especially those engaged in illicit online gambling," Viado said.  

During the operation, the BI said that the law enforcers found in the hub multiple computer stations allegedly used for illegal offshore gaming operations.

“Korean authorities confirmed that monetary transactions in Korean currency and linked bank accounts suggest active participation in illegal gambling activities,” it said.

“The apprehended foreign nationals, most of whom hold permanent resident visas, were caught in the act of operating the suspected gambling hub,” it added.

Those arrested have been turned over to the PAOCC but the legal custody remains with the bureau.

“All six Koreans face deportation and blacklisting from the country,” the BI said. 

Among those arrested, the BI said that Hang Jungjo was found to have “an active derogatory record with the BI for overstaying or unexplained prolonged presence in the country.”