Four Koreans charged for online betting game

CEBU, Philippines — Four Korean nationals are facing charges before the court for allegedly operating an online betting game without securing authorization from the Philippine Amusement and Gambling Corporation (PAGCOR).

The Office of the Cebu City Prosecutor filed a case for violation of Presidential Decree 1602, as amended by Republic Act 9287 in relation to Republic Act 10175 or Cybercrime Prevention Act against Lee Kang Sang, Jung Jun Bong, Eun Song O and Hyun Sang Pil are facing.

In an inquest proceeding, the four accused opted not to file their respective counter-affidavits to negate the allegations filed against them. Instead, they manifested to face the charges in court.

Prosecutor III Jillann Paculba-Gealon recommended a P16,000 bail for each of the accused.

Last March 16, 2018, the Regional Special Operations Group and Regional Intelligence Division, led by Police Superintendent Josefino Ligan, implemented a search warrant against Jogun Han of Barangay Banilad, Cebu City.

RTC Branch 11 Judge Ramon Daomilas issued the search warrant against the Korean national.

Operatives alleged that the bets were done in Korea but the accused operated their online illegal gambling in Cebu.

The four respondents were renting a high-end four-story house in a subdivision in Barangay Banilad worth P250,000.

Upon the implementation of the warrant, Jogun was not there, but the operatives were able to arrest the four men whom the police caught in the act operating the online illegal gambling through their respective computers.

These Korean nationals were operating an online betting such as Real Time Game result, Japanese Baseball, Major League Baseball and Online Odd/Even Betting.

Aside from the arrest of Lee Kang, 32; Jung Jun, 26; Eun, 24; and Hyun Sang, 24, the operatives were able to seize computer sets, assorted cellular phones, cables, and others.

Gealon said Jogun will be prosecuted separately once procedural requirements are complied with. — GAN (FREEMAN)