PRO8 ARREST 8 SUSPECTS AS ANTI-ILLEGAL GAMBLING CAMPAIGN CONTINUES

Camp Sec. Ruperto K. Kangleon, Palo, Leyte, November 14, 2012 – The Police Regional Office 8 will continue to enforce its anti-illegal gambling drive as eight more persons were arrested by different line units of PRO8 recently for engaging in the illegal numbers game, according to its director. “Guerilla-type” or “hapa-hapa” gambling operation is still being patronized by some bettors and we will continue to go after them,” Police Chief Superintendent ELMER RAGADIO SORIA said while announcing the accomplishments of his men. SORIA added that he reiterated his directives to unit commanders to sustain their anti-gambling campaign even with the absence of big-time illegal gambling operators in the region. First to fall was 22-year old Ronald Oliva y Solayao, resident of Brgy Canlapwas, Catbalogan City who was collared by local police officers under Police Senior Inspector ROMMEL B SORILA while in the act of soliciting bets for “swertres”. Police also confiscated a bundle of stubs with different number combinations, a black ballpen and P81.00 cash as bet money. In Hilongos, Leyte, Wilfredo de Veyra Vargas, 44, and his live-in partner Teresita Vienes, 42, both residents of Brgy Catandog 1, were caught while engaged in ‘swertres’ by joint elements of Hilongos Police Station under Police Chief Inspector VIRGILIO D PLAZA and Games and Amusement Board - Anti-illegal Gambling Unit (GAB-AIGU) led by Director Omar Villarba, resulting in the confiscation of 8 tally sheets with different number combinations. Jerry A Bascon, 28, single and a resident of Brgy Mayuga, Liloan, Southern Leyte was arrested by PO2 Roderick A Lapingcao while in the act of collecting “swertres” bet. Also seized from the violator are 2 tally sheets with number combinations, 2 lotto tips, 2 stubs and bet money amounting to P115.00. “Swertres” paraphernalia with cash bet amounting to P173.00 were also confiscated from Charlie Bolo y Ligas, 28, of Brgy Capacuhan, Anahawan, Southern Leyte by policemen led by PO2 Paul C Tupaz when law enforcers conducted anti-illegal gambling operations in said area. In Brgy Cabaohan, Pastrana, Leyte, policemen led by PO3 Raul Baldesco conducted police operation against one Diosdado Catindoy, 47, married of Brgy Jones, while engaged in “swertres. Confiscated from him were stubs with different number combinations, a black ballpen and P50.00 cash bet. Marven Dico y Epiz, 21 and Rolando Pakiding y Lopez @ Lando, 44, were also arrested by policemen in Maasin City and Hinunangan, Southern Leyte, respectively, while also engaged in “swertres”, with cash bet totaling to P203.00 and illegal gambling materials confiscated by the police. One alias Emboy Dionaldo and his unidentified cohort however evaded arrest when a police team led by Police Senior Inspector RICKY C GELI tried to arrest them in Jaro, Leyte. The duo left behind one unit motorcycle with Plate No. 6737HL and 300 pieces tally sheets with different ”swertres” combinations. They are now the target of manhunt operations by the local police. The arrested suspects were detained at the local PNP station pending the filing of complaints for violation of Republic Act 9287 or the Amended Gambling Law in court. Director SORIA commended his men for their no-nonsense efforts in addressing the on-and-off operations of illegal gambling in their area of jurisdiction as he vowed further to continue the PNP’s anti-illegal gambling drive in the region.