IN ITS stepped up campaign of anti-illegal gambling operations in the region, the Police Regional Office-Cordillera arrested 13 gamblers in a day.
Four gamblers were initially caught in the act of playing cards inside an Asian utility vehicle parked at Panta St., San Vicente, Baguio City, on August 15 after a concerned citizen reported an illegal gambling activity was in progress.
The gamblers were identified as Ranier Amgao Bangwa, 27, construction worker; Jun Amgao Diosal 31, laborer; George Bacoco Pangda, 32; and Marcial Ibanez Amog-o, 29, both unemployed, and all residents of Panta Street, San Vicente, Baguio City. Confiscated from their possession were one set of playing cards, and bet money amounting to P560.
In another operation, nine bettors were separately arrested on August 15 in the act of playing the illegal numbers game.
Arrested betters were identified as Roderick Legaspi, 23, tricycle driver, a resident of Purok 4, Bulanao, Tabuk City, Kalinga; Arnold Cartinez, 36, tricycle driver, and resident of Brgy. Agbanawag, Tabuk City, Kalinga; and Ricardo Mondala, 52, driver, and resident of Bulanao, Tabuk City, Kalinga.
They were all arrested in front of the International School of Asia Pacific Mapaoay, Ipil, Tabuk City, Kalinga, and confiscated from their possession is bet money amounting to P130 in different denominations.
Another six bettors identified as Vincent Malabanan Ladrido, 30, Michael Yatuyat Badecan, 49, Val Evangelista Bersalona, 35, James Guzman Pi-it, 36, Terence Lucina Ravelo, 28, electrician, and Henry Apayao Sipod, 42, all residents of Barangay Casigayan, Tabuk City, Kalinga were arrested at Bunaguen Street, Casigayan, Tabuk City Kalinga. Confiscated from the suspects were bet money amounting to P4,945 in different denominations, three sets of playing cards, and one black coin purse.
Chief Superintendent Rolando Nana, PRO-COR regional director commended the operating personnel for a job well done for their unceasing efforts in anti-illegal gambling operations and continuously conducting efficient campaign and advocacy by implementing a wide –range pro-active approach/strategy in all forms of criminality in coordination with various law enforcement and other concerned government agencies.