Cops seize illegal gambling machines in Tondo

MANILA, Philippines - Manila policemen have started their crackdown against the reported proliferation of illegal gambling machines in the city with the seizure yesterday of seven fruit game machines in a depressed area in Tondo.

Reports from concerned residents reaching the office of Manila Police District director Chief Superintendent Rodolfo Magtibay showed illegal gambling devices, such as video-karera and fruit game machines, have made a comeback in the city after they have been eliminated through the no-nonsense stance of the police against illegal gambling.

There were reports that a certain “Romy Gutierrez” and his wife Gina, who allegedly enjoy the blessing and protection of a newly assigned police official in the city, are the owners and operators of the illegal gambling machines.

The couple reportedly maintain fruit game and video-karera machines in depressed areas in the city, where drug addicts, criminals and even minors patronize them.

The concerned residents complain that crimes increase in areas where there is illegal gambling. Recently, a barangay tanod in Morong, Tondo was stabbed dead by a drunk resident over a fight for the use of a video karera machine. An 11-year-old boy was nabbed after stealing the digital camera of his relative to be able to bet on the fruit game machine. There were more unreported crimes, especially in depressed areas, arising from addiction to illegal gambling machines, residents said.

MPD’s Special Task Group chief Inspector Albert San Jose and his men swooped down yesterday on Isla Puting Bato in Tondo and seized seven fruit game machines from several houses. However, the raiding team failed to arrest the maintainers of the machines.

San Jose said more surprise raids will be conducted in the coming days to flush out illegal gambling activities in the city.