19 nabbed in Malabon anti-gambling raid

MANILA, Philippines - At least 19 persons were arrested in anti-illegal gambling raids staged by the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) in Malabon City Monday.

The raids were conducted by the NCRPO’s Regional Public Safety Batallion (RPSB) personnel in Barangays Tanong, Flores and Catmon, a police report said.

NCRPO director Chief Superintendent Nicanor Bartolome said the raids were a manifestation of the seriousness of his command’s campaign against all forms of illegal gambling.

“Illegal gambling is a social dilemma that puts our men in uniform in a bad light and we will put all our efforts to stamp this out until it is totally eliminated,” he said.

Arrested in Barangay Tanong were Resty Felix, 38; Pio Bula, 43; Jovel Biboy, 27; Fernando Panganiban, 46; Franco Martinez, 32, and Kerwin Santos, 46. Recovered from the suspects were various gambling paraphernalia and bet money worth P700.

Nabbed at Barangay Flores were Erlinda Matias, 45; Feliciano Gulalio, 48; Lamberto Macalintal, 45; Cesar Fombuena, 45; John Guillen, 26; Artemio Manalo, 36; Rene Doroom, 44; Ramon de la Cruz, 58; Cesar Francisco, 36; and Manolito Mendoza, 52.

Ricardo Salvador, 58, and Ernesto Santos Jr., and Rudy Sanchez, 47, were arrested in Barangay Catmon. They yielded gambling paraphernalia and bet money worth P1,400.

Several police officials, who requested anonymity, alleged that Bartolome turned a blind eye to operators of “Basketball 38” in Quezon City.

“He should not be selective in his war against illegal gambling. It is an open secret that jueteng has surreptitiously made a comeback in Metro Manila in the guise of Basketball 38, which is authorized by Pagcor (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.),” a police official said.

The NCRPO’s anti-gambling drive was met with raised eyebrows by police officials in Camp Crame, who said Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Raul Bacalzo has a standing order banning RPSBs from being involved in anti-illegal gambling operations.

“Bacalzo wanted RPSBs to concentrate on internal security operations and enemies of the state and leave the anti-gambling drive to the local policemen,” a police official said.