CEBU, Philippines - An alleged top illegal numbers game financier in Cebu City and his 10 cohorts, including a former policeman, were arrested in an anti-illegal gambling operation in Barangay Pasil at around 11:40 pm last Sunday.
Operatives of the Regional Special Operations Group (RSOG), armed with three search warrants for RA 9287 or Illegal Numbers Games issued by Regional Trial Court Judge Raphael Yrastorza, seized an estimated P150,000 worth of illegal numbers game paraphernalia from two houses owned by spouses Randy and Richie Boliboli.
RSOG chief Supt. Rex Derilo first served the warrant at the house of the Bolibolis in Rallos Street. There, the policemen arrested10 people who were caught in the act of reportedly making adjustments to the bets made.
Arrested were Jose Fernandez, 49; Butchie Lendo, 46; Rush Cabaltera, 28; Edward Abejo, 42; Angel Saavedra, 59; Joseph Dahuya, 25; Renadel Calinawan,38; Betty Saavedra, 53, who were all from Barangay Pasil. Also arrested were Richard Garcia, 37, of Barangay Suba and Reynaldo Santos, 49, of Barangay Labangon.
Seized were three fax machines, staplers, calculators, ball pens, tally sheets, rolls of fax papers and telephone units.
The operatives then went to Boliboli’s house in Espelita Street where Randy was arrested. His wife, Richie was not around and still remains at large.
Confiscated from the house in Espelita Street were calculators, a fax machine, a bundle of bail bond receipts, cash amounting to P12, 020, a .22 revolver with two bullets, two bullets of a 12 gauge shotgun and a magazine for an undetermined firearm.
Sr. Supt. Edward Carranza, Regional Chief of Directorial Staff, said that Boliboli surrendered to former PRO-7 Director, Chief Supt. Marcelo Garbo Jr. last year and even promised to stop his involvement in illegal gambling operations.
“Mga March or April yata ‘yun dahil sa intensified campaign noon ni Gen. Garbo at ngayon nagbalik na naman,†Carranza said.
In a separate interview, Boliboli admitted that he surrendered to Garbo last year. He, however, denied owning the gambling materials seized during last Sunday’s raid.“Taud-taud nako niundang. Ang search warrant nakapangalan lang sa akoa,†he said.
Carranza said that the Bolibolis’ illegal gambling activity is province-wide.
Discharged cop
Angel Saavedra, among those who were arrested, was a former policeman assigned at the Cebu City Police Office. He was discharged from the service after he went AWOL (Absent Without Official Leave) last year.
A .45 caliber pistol, with bullets and a holster, was recovered from him.
Saavedra denied ownership of the gun and said he was just taking a nap outside the house in Rallos Street during the operation. He, however, admitted he was discharged from the service after he was relieved to the Regional Police Holding Administrative Office (RPHAO).
“Wa nako kasabot sa ilang mga gipang-implementar maong ni-AWOL ko,†he said.
The suspects are now detained at the PRO-7 stockade. Boliboli and Saavadra will also face charges for violation of the Comelec gun ban and illegal possession of firearms.
The anti-illegal gambling operation was part of the intensified campaign against all forms of illegal gambling in the region. — /QSB (FREEMAN)