Hilongos cops raid ex- mayor's "gambling den"

HILONGOS, LEYTE, Philippines  - Chief Insp. Ramil Ngujo Amodia, town police chief, the other day (July 3) led his men in raiding a place classified as gambling den and allegedly operated by a former mayor of this town.

Harry Viterbo, Sr., the former mayor, in an interview with The FREEMAN after the raid, accused the police of acting in behalf of incumbent mayor Jose Emery Roble who he said was out to harass him.

"I put a tarpaulin in my house questioning his performances, including illegal gambling, after a year in office, that's why," he said while insisting that he had a "business permit issued by the Barangay Central."

He however acknowledged that his application for the town's business permit was denied by the municipal government.

Barangay Central Chairman Teodoro Robles, Sr. clarified that he issued to Viterbo a barangay clearance, and not a permit, and only for parlor games pursuant to R.A. 7160 and Brgy. Tax ordinance # 92-01 series of 1992.

Robles and brgy. councilman Mario Flores witnessed the inventory of evidences seized by the police.

Amodia denied the allegation of Viterbo insisting that it was part of a police campaign to rid the town of illegal activities. "I don't have any problem with any business as long as pertinent legal documents are there," he said.

The police official also disclosed that he struck first Viterbo's establishment, from among others, because of the clamor of devotees who frequented the miraculous Mother of Perpetual Help chapel located just across the street where the "den" was located.

Amodia said he can take into consideration the issued brgy clearance for parlor games, but the seized evidences (two mahjong tables with two sets of tiles, two pads and two dices, seven chairs, one set of playing cards and bet money amounting to P351) Viterbo and the other suspects, will be charged for violation of PD 1602 or the Anti Illegal Gambling Law.

The treasurer's office, on the other hand, confirmed that the establishment of Viterbo had not paid the rental for the government-owned lot located in the public market (where he owned the building) and other pertinent taxes because no mayor's permit to operate was issued to him.

Mayor Roble could not be reached for comment yesterday because his family was preparing for the burial of his grandmother who died at age 95. (FREEMAN)