32 fall for swertres; police chief faces probe

CEBU, Philippines -  For their alleged involvement in the illegal numbers game, at least 32 persons were arrested by elements of the Regional Special Operations Group in an operation conducted around midnight yesterday at F. Rallos St., Barangay Pasil, Cebu City.

Operatives led by Chief Insp. George Ylanan were armed with a search warrant for illegal gambling against Randy Bulibuli, an alleged swertres financier, when the operation was carried out.

The warrant was signed by Judge Douglas Marigomen of Regional Trial Court 7 Branch 5 in Cebu City.

Bulibuli escaped through a back door while his 32 employees were arrested instead.

Now detained at the Police Regional Office-7 stockade and in other police stations are: Fausto Sabellon de la Cruz, 48; Jose Fernandez Cahipi, 48; Manding Tagsip Ignacio, 36; Jake Ravelo Gonzaga, 23; Ringo Andales Colminares, 40; Rogelio Abes, 42; Caloy Rosales Padilla, 34; Jake Malazarte Bernardo, 24; Dave Ocaña Gabutero, 49; Butch Lendio Cavan, 44; Renfeld  Calinawan, 38; Jade Flores, 30; Reynaldo Daño, 38; Pablito Polancos, 52;  Rey Calinawan, 29; Marivic Hubagason, 34; Melanie Recla, 25; and Roby Cañete, 48, all of Barangay Pasil.

 Also arrested were Nestor Carreon Padayao, 36; Roberto Ayag Lim, 41; Henry Ayag Lim, 34; Daniel Torreon, 35, all of Barangay Ermita while Rolando Allera Tagsip, 48; Eduardo Javier Catamora, 30; Florencio Pitallar, 52; Paul Tecson, 42; Shiela Apostol, 35, all from Barangay Suba.

Michael Patalinghug Cabahug, 34, of Barangay Tabunok, Talisay City; Christopher Baguio Torrejos, 43, of Jetafe, Bohol; Sandro Montejo Montes, 50, of Barangay Pahina Central; Rodrigo Lim Clarion, 43, of Basak Pardo; and Mary Jane Beriarmente, 27, of Barangay Apas, were also detained.

A case for illegal gambling will be filed against the suspects tomorrow.

Pieces of evidence recovered were 21 fax machines, several tally sheets, 26 calculators, seven staplers, 34 assorted ball pens, a stamp pad, a rubber stamp, two pairs of scissors, three fax papers, and six writing pads.

No bet money was recovered since coordinators of the illegal business reportedly send the proceeds through money transfer.

 Supt. Pablo Labra II, RSOG chief, described the house of Bulibuli as the center of the illegal numbers game operation.

“Diha sila mag-tally sa number combinations sa swertres unya caught in the act gyud na sila during the operation. (They tally the swertres number combinations and were caught in the act during the operation),” Labra said in a phone interview.

Due to the directive of Philippine National Police chief, Director General Nicanor Bartolome, to strictly implement the “one strike” and “no-take” policies on illegal gambling, Chief Insp. Rex Lomente, San Nicolas police chief, will be under investigation.

Labra told The FREEMAN that Lomente will have to explain why illegal gambling proliferates in his area of responsibility.

“We will wait for the decision of RD (Chief Supt. Marcelo Garbo, PRO-7 director) regarding his (Lomente) status,” he said. —MIT (FREEMAN)