3 men arrested for Masiao

CEBU, Philippines - Three illegal gambling operators were arrested in two different anti-illegal gambling operations of the Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB) Tuesday morning in the town of Medellin and Bogo City.

In Medellin, Elerioso Tuñacao, 50 years old, was arrested for illegal gambling (masiao) Tuesday morning in Sitio Cadre, Barangay Poblacion, Medellin, Cebu by elements of the Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB) led by SPO1 Francis Alen Villamor.

Tuñacao was busy tallying inside his house when the crime cooperatives arrived in the area. The suspect’s windows and door were wide open so the police officers clearly saw his illegal business. After taking a photo for evidence, the police officers arrested the suspect.

Confiscated from Tuñacao were about 50 pieces of tally sheets with different masiao number combinations, five pieces of blank stubs, two calculators, two staplers, ballpens and P700 cash believed to be proceeds from illegal gambling.

In Bogo City, the same team arrested Jeffry Montealto, 32, and Francisco Codiñera, 58 years old, also for masiao Tuesday morning in Barangay Gairan, Bogo City.

After receiving numerous calls from concerned citizens, police officers verified if there were illegal activities at the said area. Police found the two stopping by a house to collect tally sheets. Codiñera then handed to Montealto the tally sheets so he could start the engine, but before he could do so, police officers arrested the suspects. 

Confiscated from the duo were three stubs with different number combinations and a red Suzuki motorcycle. Police officers, however, were not able to search the house because it was closed.

Tuñacao’s case is currently filed in the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office and he will be detained in Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) while Montealto and Codiñera are detained at the Bogo Police Station. — (FREEMAN)