THE NATIONAL Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested 12 Chinese nationals last Dec. 11 in Pampanga for illegal online gambling operations. NBI Director Dante A. Gierran identified the arrested foreigners as Chen Ya Ting, Chen Chengang, Sun Qiao Yan, Wei Bing, Lei Shi Feng, Gao Cheng Feng, Lin Jin, Wang Hai Tao, Wu Cheng Pin, Ruan Cheng Hui, Gao Fei, and Long Xi. One of the target subjects, Chen Hao Ran, evaded arrest as he was not in the area during the operation. “The operation of online gambling itself is illegal. The workers there are illegal in the sense na wala silang (that they do not have) working visas,” NBI Forensic Investigation Service Deputy Director Ferdinand M. Lavin said in a press conference Thursday. Under Philippine law, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. is the authorized agency to operate and issue licenses for gambling and gaming-related business. The 12 Chinese have been presented before the Department of Justice for inquest proceedings. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

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