Not TIP, Hundreds Of Indonesian Citizens In The Philippines Are Aware Of Their Jobs As Operators Of Online Gambling

TANGERANG - Head of the International Relations Division (Kadiv Hubinter) Inspector General Pol Krishna Murti said there were 569 Indonesian citizens (WNI) working as illegal online gambling operators in the Philippines.

"As a result of cooperation with Indonesia, 539 Indonesian citizens were found who worked illegally and realized that they were operators of 'online' gambling in the Philippines," Krishna told reporters at Soekarno Hatta Airport, Tangerang City, Wednesday, October 23.

Hundreds of Indonesian citizens who were online gambling operators were arrested during a raid by the Philippine police at the Tourist Garden Hotel, Lapu-lapu City, Cebu Province, on August 31, 2024.

"I want to emphasize, they are not part of the victims of TIP (criminal acts of trafficking in persons). They are perpetrators who consciously offer themselves to work there (Philippines)," he said.

A total of 69 Indonesian citizens (WNI) were deported. The return of dozens of Indonesian citizens was carried out in stages through Soekarno-Hatta Airport (Tangerang), Kualanamu Airport (Medan) and Sam Ratulangi Airport (Manado).

35 Indonesian citizens have been sent home, while 32 other Indonesian citizens are still waiting for the repatriation schedule.

"Today 35 out of a total of 69 are the recent processes," said Krishna Murti.