NCRPO launches war vs illegal gambling

MANILA, Philippines — Twenty-one people were apprehended last week in Metro Manila as the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) launched an intensified drive against illegal gambling.

NCRPO chief Maj. Gen Vicente Danao Jr. had ordered a sustained crackdown on illegal gambling, which resulted in the arrest of the suspects and confiscation of cash bets and gambling paraphernalia.

Based on the report, eight persons were nabbed for illegal gambling by members of the Philippine National Police Regional Intelligence Division and Regional Mobile Force Battalion along Mabini street, Barangay Sta. Lucia in Novaliches, Quezon City on Aug. 17.

Arrested were Raul Barandino, Rolando Monera, John Ryan Marinas, Jesibol Obispo, Fermin Dagnio, Mario Arizobal, Javier Cinita and Balery Peronio.

In Parañaque, 13 suspects were nabbed while reportedly in the act of betting in loteng, an illegal numbers game, on Crossword street, Fourth Estate, Barangay San Antonio on Aug. 21.

Taken into police custody were Jose Pelaez, Adela Crisostomo, Nerlio Cacho, Helen Donor, Dioscoro Honorio Jr., Victor Aquino, Reyman Encarnacion, Elmer Cortez, Christopher Labrador, Christian Suarez, Ruben Foo, Nelson Simbulan and Eboy Hemor.

Personnel of the Paran?aque police sub-station 5 led by Maj. Tirso Pascual confiscated P16,759 in cash bets, 11 calculators, three record books and STL or small town lottery paraphernalia.

The suspects were subjected to inquest proceedings for violating Presidential Decree 1602, Danao said.

He ordered NCRPO personnel to arrest people involved in the operation of illegal numbers games such as jueteng and loteng in their areas.