The Indonesian National Police (Polri) has successfully repatriated dozens of Indonesian nationals who were allegedly involved in illegal online gambling activities in the Philippines. The operation was carried out in cooperation with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Interpol, and resulted in the arrest of over 100 individuals, including both Indonesians and Filipinos.
The raid, which took place in Manila, targeted several online gambling operations that were operating without proper licenses and permits. The authorities also confiscated millions of dollars worth of cash and assets, including computers, servers, and other equipment used in the illegal operations.
According to Polri spokesman, Brigadier General Argo Yuwono, the Indonesian nationals who were arrested during the raid were working as employees for the online gambling syndicates, and were responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the illicit businesses. “They were recruited by the syndicates through social media and other online platforms, and were promised high salaries and luxurious lifestyles in exchange for their services,” Yuwono said.
The repatriated Indonesians were flown back to Indonesia on a chartered flight arranged by Polri, and are now being questioned by the authorities to determine their level of involvement in the illegal online gambling operations. “We will conduct further investigations to gather more evidence and information about their activities, and will take appropriate legal action against those found guilty of violating Indonesian laws,” Yuwono added.
The successful repatriation of the Indonesian nationals is seen as a major victory for Polri in its efforts to combat transnational crime and illegal online gambling activities. “We will continue to work closely with our international partners to crack down on these criminal syndicates and bring them to justice,” Yuwono emphasized.
The Indonesian government has also vowed to step up its efforts to combat illegal online gambling activities within the country, and has launched a nationwide crackdown on unlicensed gambling websites and operations. “We will not tolerate any form of illegal gambling in Indonesia, and will take stern action against those who violate the law,” said Indonesian Minister of Law and Human Rights, Yasonna Laoly.
The repatriation of the Indonesian nationals from the Philippines marks a significant milestone in the fight against transnational crime and illegal online gambling activities in Southeast Asia. Polri and its international partners are now working together to further strengthen their cooperation and coordination in tackling these criminal syndicates and protecting the integrity of the region’s financial and digital ecosystems.
