5 Koreans nabbed in online gambling den

MANILA, Philippines - Policemen arrested five Korean nationals on Friday night for allegedly operating an online gambling den in a gated subdivision in Barangay Holy Spirit, Quezon City.

Superintendent Ritchie Claraval said the operation was prompted by a report received by the office of Mayor Herbert Bautista about the alleged illegal activity in an apartment in Don Enrique Heights subdivision. 

Claraval, who heads the city hall police office, said a search warrant was issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 77. 

Computer sets and cell phones were confiscated from the apartment, where Ra Su Bo, Yung Sungki, Ko Tae Myung, Bioung Jun Lee and Woaggi Min were apprehended.

Claraval said the owner of the house was unaware that the renters were using the apartment for illegal activities. The suspects had been renting the residence for only a few months, he said. 

The police official believes that since the clients of the online gambling operation were abroad, it was earning millions. 

QCPD director Chief Superintendent Richard Albano said the five Koreans are facing charges for Access Device Regulations Act of 1998 and Presidential Decree 1602 or the law imposing stiffer penalties for gambling.