Malaysian, 19 others held for online gambling

MANILA, Philippines —  A Malaysian national and 19 other people allegedly involved in online gambling were arrested in Pasig City on Wednesday.

Police officers from the Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) raided a room at the Antel building on Julia Vargas Avenue and another room at the Raffles building along Emerald Avenue at around 11:30 p.m.

Leow Wai Pin, 44, was arrested during the raid along with 15 women and four men, all Filipinos.

The other suspects were identified as Shelly Mae Soliman, 21; Kent Allan Jay Ando, 28; Patrick Sunga, 25; Connie Gargaritano, 37; Don Christopher Cordova, 23; Mariz Casuga, 23; Ma. Jocelyn Moreno, 21; Jhonalyn Abundo, 30; Irene de Belen, 29; Jennelle Arianne Damian, 29; Ann Kathelyn Bondoc, 22; Levi Peralta, 22; Krishia Mae Hokson, 25; Lovely Joy Macaraeg, 24; Lourdes Andes, 29; Marie Antoinette Go, 27; Arianne Nicole Batac, 23; Roda Grace Aguda, 30, and Arnel Labarda, 37.

Senior Inspector Artemio Cinco Jr., ACG spokesman, said the operation stemmed from a tip provided by a confidential informant that foreigners were maintaining an illegal online gambling business at the two establishments.

“They were operating for almost a year,” Cinco said in a text message.

Armed with search warrants, police raided the two buildings and seized more than P300,000 and $41,000 in cash as well as computers and other gadgets.

The suspects are facing charges for violation of Presidential Decree 1602, the law on illegal gambling, and Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act before the Department of Justice.