Anti-gambling crackdown starts; 13 nabbed – Philippine Star

MANILA, Philippines - The heightened campaign against illegal gambling kicked off yesterday with the arrest of 13 persons four in Quezon City and nine in Central Luzon.

In a one time, big time operation, the Quezon City Police District arrested Annie Santos, Rolando Santos, Benito Dizon and Carlito dela Cruz, all alleged collectors of jueteng, an illegal numbers game prevalent in Luzon.

They were reportedly plying their trade when the police arrested them yesterday noon along Sauyo Road in Novaliches.

At least P2,747 in bets and some bet records were recovered from them. These would be used as evidence in a charge for violating Presidential Decree 1602, which defines illegal gambling activities and prescribes corresponding penalties.

In Bataan province, a jueteng financier and an operator were arrested in separate police operations.

Chief Supt. Aaron Aquino, police director for Region 3, said suspects Matilde Manuel and Nico Ombrog were caught in the act of doing drop balls, a process in the jueteng game.

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He said the Orani municipal police station and the Bataan intelligence branch caught Manuel, 55, inside her residence in Barangay Culis in Hermosa town. Manuel is said to be a jueteng financier and operator.

Ombrog, a resident of Dinalupihan town in Bataan, was also caught redhanded.

Aquino said the raiding police teams confiscated one drop ball basket, four betting boards, two plastic trays, two drop balls and P590 in cash.

The Arayat town police also conducted their own drive yesterday and arrested Junmar Dizon in Barangay Bitas. Dizon is said to be a cabo (supervisor) of jueteng bet collectors.

In Tarlac province, the Bamban town police arrested Danilo Manalo, who was among those found playing sakla, an illegal cards game, in Barangay Virgen de los Remedios. The other bettors were able to escape when they sensed the approaching policemen.

At least P750 in bet money, a playing board, a set of Spanish cards and a marker were taken as evidence.

The San Jose del Monte police also conducted their own anti-illegal gambling drive and arrested Joshua Zarcilla, Jay Peralta, Tommy Gaulala, Rouando Booc andEdgardo Manaligod Jr. for playing cara cruz, an illegal coins game, in Barangay Gaya-gaya.

President Duterte earlier issued Executive Order 13 to direct the Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation and other law enforcement agencies to intensify the governments campaign against illegal gambling. With Ric Sapnu

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Anti-gambling crackdown starts; 13 nabbed - Philippine Star