Cops raid Ang’s gambling dens in Cagayan

TUGUEGARAO, Philippines – Authorities stormed gambling dens in this city and four other towns maintained by the Meridien Vista Gaming Corp. (MVGC) on Thursday and Friday. 

The Meridien is operated by controversial Filipino-Chinese businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang.

The series of raids resulted in the relief of city police chief Supt. Virgilio Con Abillera Jr. and Chief Insps. Edgar Unista and Engelbert Bunagan of Lallo and Lasam towns, respectively, for failing to curb Ang’s gambling operations.

Abillera was replaced by Supt. Edward Guzman, Unista by Senior Insp. Leon Umbrero and Bunagan by Chief Insp. Eugenio Mallillin.

Regional police director Chief Supt. Eliseo Rasco said 63 people were arrested during the raid.

Aside from this city and the two towns, police also raided gambling dens in Enrile and Peñablanca.

Ang’s employee Edwin Articulo led the raiding team to a sport utility vehicle where jueteng was being drawn in Barangay Catayaoan, Lasam.

Police seized cash and computer units during the raid.

Meanwhile, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. denied he threatened to have Ang killed, saying the number games operator was being paranoid because of his illegal activities.

Ang has claimed that Esperon and Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II threatened to kill him to eliminate the illegal numbers game jueteng and expand the government’s small-town lottery (STL).

Esperon said the Meridien, which secured a license to operate within the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority in Sta. Ana town, expanded its operations to Isabela, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan and Bicol.

He dared Ang to present witnesses to prove his claim that there was a plot to kill him over his numbers game operations.

“Paranoia is usual in people who engage in illegal activities,” he said.

The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) also downplayed Ang’s claim of threat to his life.

PCSO chairman Jose Jorge Corpuz said he was not aware of any plot to kill Ang.

He said the PCSO has expected these kinds of issues due to the agency’s plan to expand STL and eliminate illegal numbers games in the country. 

Corpuz said the PCSO would focus on generating more revenues through the expansion of STL and ensure that more funds will be available for the government’s health program. 

He clarified that the selection of STL authorized agent corporations undergoes a stringent process following its revised implementing rules and regulations. 

“Ang’s claim that the STL operation is being controlled by certain personalities is impossible, since monitoring and control are in place within PCSO for STL implementation,” he added.   – With Alexis Romero, Perseus Echeminada