Bacolod City – P/Brig. Arnold Thomas Ibay, regional police director of Negros Island Region, ordered police commanders to further intensify their campaign against all forms of illegal activities, including illegal gambling in the region.
Ibay instructed commanders that their focus should not only concentrate on their main function in crime prevention and solution, but also fighting all types of illegal activities.
From January to April this year, the police nabbed 393 persons engaged in illegal gambling, including illegal collectors of Small Town Lottery (STL), known as “bookies,” in Negros Occidental.
Records of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office showed that a total amount of P11,426,000 in bail has been paid for the release of arrested illegal gambling violators.
Police investigations indicate that financiers of illegal gambling are the ones paying the recommended bail set by the court for the arrested bet solicitors, who upon being released, resume their illegal activities.
The arrest of 393 illegal gambling violators was a result of the intensified campaign of NOCPPO against all forms of illegal gambling, and the proliferation of “bookies,” or illegal betting outlets using STL as a front.
Bookies use the same numbers drawn by STL. However, the illegal bet collectors, referred to as “riders,” oftentimes use the ID cards of legitimate STL employees to collect bets that are not remitted to the government.
The 393 arrested gambling violators have been charged with violation of RA 9287, which increases penalties for illegal numbers games in the country, aims to eradicate such activities and punish those involved, including bettors, personnel, and government officials, while also protecting witnesses and incentives for law enforcement officers.
Collectors or agents may be imprisoned for 8 years and day to 10 years, while personnel or staff of illegal numbers game operations face imprisonment for 6 years and up to 8 years, and collectors or agents may be imprisoned for 8 years and day to 10 years. (Gilbert Bayoran via tvds)