It started with a raid on a Chinese-run online gambling centre north of Manila, where hundreds of foreigners and Filipinos were forced to run scams or risk torture.
Then came explosive allegations that the local mayor was involved in the illicit operation - and that she was a Chinese national masquerading as a Filipina.
The scandal stunned the nation and fuelled calls for the government to ban the online gambling industry over its links to financial scams, kidnapping prostitution, human trafficking, torture and murder.
President Ferdinand Marcos outlawed the sector this week, saying "the grave abuse and disrespect to our system of laws must stop". Foreign workers involved were given two months to leave the Philippines.
Authorities believe there could be several hundred illegal online gambling entities - as well as a good number of the more than 40 licensed operators that are running scam centres under the noses of public officials.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 27, 2024-Ausgabe von The Citizen.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 27, 2024-Ausgabe von The Citizen.
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