In a move following their detention in a raid on a suspected sex trafficking and online scam operation in Manila, the Philippines deported 180 Chinese nationals on Thursday. Among the nearly 600 individuals discovered in a compound during the October operation were Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Filipino nationals. The compound, licensed as an internet gaming company, housed various facilities, including a massage parlor, karaoke rooms, and a restaurant, along with the discovery of sex toys.
According to Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission Undersecretary Gilberto Cruz, authorities discovered that the deported Chinese nationals lacked work permits and were involved in online scams during the raid, which resulted in the rescue of several women. He further mentioned that additional foreigners detained in the operation would face deportation in the coming weeks.
The incident highlights the growing international concern regarding internet scams in the Asia-Pacific region, often operated by trafficking victims coerced into promoting fraudulent crypto investments. Philippine Senator Risa Hontiveros had previously cautioned about the existence of “scam call centres” in the country, employing foreigners trafficked into the Philippines.
The 2023 human trafficking report by the US State Department criticized the Philippines for not vigorously investigating or prosecuting labor trafficking crimes within the country. The report cited concerns about corruption and official complicity in trafficking crimes, emphasizing the need for stronger measures to address these issues.