6 residents arrested in anti-gambling ops

CEBU, Philippines - After the Cebu Police Provincial Office has issued a directive to the provincial police stations to intensify their campaign against illegal gambling, at least six persons were arrested by the police in separate operations in Talisay City and Minglanilla town on Wednesday.

Mave Garcia,18; Jaymark Palyaso, 25; Cassandra Blanco, 18; Joy Seguera, 19; and Marie Martinez, 23, were arrested by Minglanilla police in five consecutive anti-illegal gambling operations in Barangay Tungkil, Tungkop, Tulay, Tunghaan, and Pakigne on Wednesday afternoon.

James Reyes, 22, was arrested by Talisay City police operatives in a separate operation past 7 a.m. on Wednesday in Barangay Lawaan 3.

Reyes was once arrested by the police in a separate operation after he was allegedly caught in the act of engaging into illegal numbers game.

The police recovered from his possession one empty paper stub and another stub filled with three digit number combinations, black pen, carbon paper, calculator and P195 cash.

He was brought to the police station and will be charged with violation of the Anti-illegal Gambling Act.

The Minglanilla operations started past 2 p.m. on Wednesday and ended around 8 p.m., an hour before the 9 p.m. draw of the legal Suertres game of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office where illegal Swertres operators base their results.

Both police stations confiscated assorted illegal gambling paraphernalia and at least P1,000 proceeds of illegal gambling activities from the suspects.

Both operations were conducted after CCPO director Senior Superintendent Noel Gillamac directed his men to strengthen their campaign against illegal gambling, alongside illegal drugs and loose firearms.

Gillamac issued the directive after at least two local government units have written to him and asked him to act on the rampant illegal gambling activities in their areas.

In an earlier interview, he said the police should not focus only in the campaign against illegal drugs and loose firearms but must also take steps to address illegal gambling activities in their areas of responsibility.  (FREEMAN)