Masiao coordinator nabbed

CEBU, Philippines - Police arrested a suspected general masiao coordinator during a raid in Barangay Luz, Cebu City last Wednesday night.

 The suspect was identified as Victor Mondenido who was seized with several gambling paraphernalia and machines and cash amounting to P50,990 which was believed to be proceeds of the  illegal numbers game.

 Supt. Fermin Armendarez of the Criminal Investigation and Detective Management Branch (CIDG) 7 said Mondenido reportedly operates in neighboring Cebu City barangays while his financier is from Negros Island.

 CIDG-7 did a month-long surveillance on Mondenido after receiving a tip regarding his gambling activities.

 Armendarez said they were able to secure a search warrant and raided Mondenido’s house in the interior portion of sitio Nangka and eventually arrested the suspect.

 The warrant was issued by Regional Trial Court (RTC) 7 Branch 15 Judge Samuel Malazarte last Nov. 22.

 Armendarez said they caught Mondenido in the act of  waiting for results from two fax machines. Other members of Mondenido’s family, who were watching television at the time of the raid, were spared from the arrest.

 CIDG-7 operatives also seized from the suspect 564 tally sheets, 15 ballpens and two calculators.

During a tactical interrogation, Mondenido told the police that he resorted to being a general masiao coordinator since he had no job.

 A complaint for violating Republic Act 9287 or an act increasing the penalties for illegal numbers games was filed against the suspect yesterday.  (FREEMAN)