48 arrested in NCRPO anti-gambling drive

MANILA, Philippines - At least 48 persons were arrested in an intensified drive against illegal gambling by the National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO) in Metro Manila last week.

NCRPO chief Director Roberto Rosales vowed that the illegal gambling drive is a continuing process as he issued a warning that “no sacred cows would be spared.”

“While we are conducting a massive campaign against criminality, we are also training our eyes on the proliferation of illegal gambling in Metro Manila,” said Rosales.

Among the raided establishments was one located at the corner of Roxas and Conchu streets in Malate, Manila “which was believed to be where jai-alai bookies bets lists are being transmitted,” said Superintendent Leo Francisco, head of the NCRPO’s regional police intelligence and operation unit (RPIOU).

Francisco said they arrested Rolando Golo, 38, a caretaker, but a certain Val Adriano, an alleged big-time gambling operator, eluded arrest.

The RPIOU team recovered a blue book containing Adriano’s contacts in Metro Manila, as well as fax machines and lists of bets.

Francisco’s team also conducted eight other raids in Pasay City and Manila where they confiscated some P5,000 cash bets and jai-alai and other gambling paraphernalia.

The gambling joints in Pasay City were operated by a certain Nancy while the NCRPO is still trying to find out who is operating gambling joints in Manila.

At least 11 of those arrested are employees and bettors of “color games” along Ilaya street in Divisoria, Manila, which Francisco said are being allegedly operated by PO1 Arthur Cordero Jr. and Jerson Guzman.

Francisco summoned Cordero, who is assigned at the Regional Mobile Group (RMG) for investigation.

Those arrested were formally charged with illegal gambling in various courts as they remain in jail at the RPIOU detention center at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.