Massive Chinese arrests in Philippines

Media reports from the Philippines Friday have recorded the arrest of more 1,200 Chinese nationals suspected to be working illegally for online gambling operators at a resort and casino complex north of Manila.

Philippine immigration chief Jaime Morente told local reporters Friday that the documents of the 1,240 Chinese nationals arrested Thursday were being checked based on reports they had illegally entered and worked in the country.

“As of 2 a.m. today, our immigration unit (has) counted a total of 1,240 Chinese nationals arrested in the operation,” Morente said.

The immigration bureau’s initial report said the foreigners were working as call centre agents for an illegal online gambling operator at the Fontana Leisure Park in Clark Freeport, a former U.S.-run air base north of Manila.

They are temporarily being held under guard by immigration and police personnel in a building within the leisure park.