A Philippine senator has called on China to take stronger action against Chinese criminal syndicates operating illegal online gambling and scam call centers across Southeast Asia, often using forced labor, The Associated Press reports.
Senator Risa Hontiveros, who led an investigation into these operations, highlighted the human rights abuses associated with these criminal enterprises. The United Nations human rights office has estimated that hundreds of thousands of individuals have been forced into participating in online scams, including romantic and investment schemes.
Hontiveros expressed concern that these syndicates undermine the rule of law and could potentially be used for espionage activities. She cited the proximity of several shut down gambling complexes to a Philippine air force base where American forces have a presence, and a residential compound used by American diplomats and military officials.
While acknowledging that there is no clear evidence linking the gambling hubs to Chinese surveillance operations, Hontiveros emphasized the need for stronger international cooperation to combat cybercrime.
“China is not doing enough, given her impressive powers that she has not been shy to wield and display on so many fronts,” said Hontiveros. “We would all benefit from more regional and international cooperation… making social media companies more accountable for the misuse of their platforms for these malign operations.”
China has banned gambling within its borders, but the majority of clients for these online syndicates are mainland Chinese citizens who defy the government’s prohibition.
The Chinese government has previously claimed to have cooperated with Filipino authorities in shutting down illegal online gambling and scam outfits and rescuing victims of forced labor. However, lucrative online gambling operations continue to thrive in Southeast Asian countries allied with Beijing, including Cambodia and Myanmar.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. banned online gambling operations in July, citing widespread criminal activity associated with these operations, including financial scams, human trafficking, torture, and murder.
The flourishing of the online gambling industry in the Philippines has been attributed to corruption within government regulatory agencies and bribery of officials. A former mayor in Tarlac province, Alice Guo, linked to an illegal online gambling complex, was recently arrested in Indonesia and deported back to the Philippines. She is accused of faking Filipino nationality to run for public office and has denied any wrongdoing.
