Seven suspects were arrested for illegal online gambling in a joint operation by the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), and Philippine National Police (PNP) in Quezon City on Thursday.
The case stemmed from a PCSO-authorized agent who continued gambling operations despite the expiration of its contract in July. PCSO Shield Chair Orlando Malaca said such activities hurt the agency’s revenue and its charity work.
“Kung may mawawala na papasok dapat sa kaban ng bayan, ito po ay magiging losses din po sa mga nangangailangan din po ng tulong na umaasa sa PCSO. In particular yung mga medical assistance,” Malaca said.
The raid, conducted by QCPD Station 14, resulted in the arrest of the suspects and the seizure of mobile devices and other gambling equipment.
The suspects face charges under the Cybercrime Prevention Act, Presidential Decree 1602 on illegal gambling, and related laws. They are undergoing inquest proceedings while seized devices will be analyzed to trace their network.
DICT Secretary Henry Aguda said the operation fulfills President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s order to clean cyberspace of illegal activities. “We hope to bring more cases like this within the year, especially interagency cases such as this, which show how much stronger we are when we work together,” he said.
CICC Acting Executive Director Renato “Aboy” Paraiso stressed that even small operators can cause long-term harm. “These illegal operators may seem small at first glance, but over time, their impact is significant. That is why we are relentless in pursuing them,” he said.
FPJ Panday Bayanihan Party-list Rep. Brian Poe Llamanzares lauded the success of the operation, calling it a demonstration of strong government collaboration.
