Cops arrested 19 persons vs illegal gambling campaign

March 23, 2020 Provincial

Camp Bado Dangwa, La Trinidad, Benguet – Despite the scare of the dreaded corona virus, 19 people were arrested in a simultaneous police operations of illegal gambling in the region over the past days.
Police apprehended 10 in Baguio, one in Benguet, and 8 in Abra for involvement in illegal cockfighting, bookies, tupada and collecting of bets. Bettors known as Donald Racraven Busto; Jose Patongay Wasian; Virgilio Delfin Acosta; Emmanuel Rustia Sambajon; June Lamsis Rufino; Cesar Delfin; Denver Damaso Dalisdis; Kurt Carbonel Tabon; Rufo Isiah Kiwas Binay-an; and Lester Wadas Bangcawayan were caught in Amsing, Pacdal, Baguio City in the afternoon of February 14, 2020.
They were apprehended after a concerned citizen informed the police of the ongoing illegal gambling known as tupada. Confiscated were four live fighting cocks, one dead fighting cock, one (1) guffle and five (5) helmets.
In the afternoon of the same day, bet collector identified as Pedro Salongan Patras was held for collecting bet money in Palina, Tuba, Benguet. Confiscated from his possession were cash money amounting to Php225.00, and other assorted gambling paraphernalia.
In Abra, 8 individuals were separately held while in the act of playing card games and cockfighting in the afternoon of March 13, 2020.
Gamblers identified as Erwin B. Belarmino, 39; Rogie S. Queza, 45; Armando B. Samson, 41; Rogelio D. Alcantara, 61; Nora B. Baniago, 48; and Juvelene G. Castillo, 32 were caught inside the house on Arellano St., Zone 3, Bangued, Abra while in the act of playing card games.
Operating troops confiscated two (2) sets of playing cards; and bet money amounting to Php1, 900.00. Meanwhile, Charlie Sequerra Ayco, 32 and Marnold Castillo Rafal, 35 were apprehended while in the act of playing cockfighting in Sitio Pudok, Barangay Cabuloan, Bangued, Abra of the same day.
Recovered evidence was two (2) fighting cocks and Php790.00 bet money. All arrested individuals were charged for violation of Presidential Decree 1602 known as Illegal Gambling.
PROCOR leadership ordered PNP troops to crack down on all forms of illegal gambling and arrest those behind it. He also encouraged the community to provide information or report to the police any illegal gambling activities in their area to strengthen the PNP’s efforts to wipe out gambling operations in the region.
PROCOR-RPIO