ILLEGAL GAMBLING CRACKDOWN  JAILS 7 IN TARLAC

BY KEVIN GALANG 

TARLAC CITY – Police arrested seven individuals allegedly involved in illegal numbers game operations during the “Oplan Bolilyo/Roulette” drive in Bgy. Poblacion, this city on April 10.

According to Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Regional Field Unit 3 chief Col. Grant Gollod, members of the CIDG Tarlac Provincial Field Unit led by Lt. Col. Arvin Hosmillo, in coordination with the Tarlac City police, carried out the operation, resulting in the arrest of seven caught allegedly engaging in illegal “STL bookies.”

Hosmillo identified the arrested in their aliases “Red,” 31; “Tony,” 51; “Eddie,” 52; “Rosey,” 30; “Bren,” 52; “Talie,” 39; and “Ben,” 54; all residents of Tarlac City. They are facing charges for violation of Presidential Decree No. 1602, as amended by Republic Act 9287.

The arrested individuals were allegedly authorized representatives of Small Town Lottery (STL), but were found to have used their roles as a front for illegal lottery operations.

Gollod said those arrested were reportedly acting as ‘bookies,’ accepting bets not sanctioned by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

Seized in the operation were marked money, bet receipts, numerous “papelitos” or betting slips, a calculator, a list of winning results, and more than P26,000 in bet money.

The raid stemmed from a tip by a concerned citizen on the ongoing illegal gambling activities in the area.

The CIDG RFU3 chief vows to intensify operations against illegal gambling activities, warning that individuals found violating gambling laws will face appropriate charges.