Over 1,200 Chinese nationals are reported to have been arrested in Angeles city in the Philippines on November 24, 2016. [Photo: youth.cn]

The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines has urged Chinese citizens to abide by local laws and regulations regarding expats.

More than 1,200 Chinese nationals were arrested in Manila for allegedly working illegally for a call center-like operation suspected to be a front for online gambling.

The 1240 arrested Chinese nationals are being held under guard by Philippine immigration and police personnel, awaiting the results of an investigation to see if their employer was running an illegal online gambling site.

The Chinese embassy has sent officials to provide necessary assistance within their purview.

The embassy urged Chinese nationals to do business in accordance with their visa types.

It also warned that the interests of employees are prone to infringement in illegal gambling companies in the Philippines.