ILLEGAL gambling charges filed by the National Bureau of Investigation in Kabankalan City against three punong barangays were dismissed by the prosecutor, NBI-Bacolod Chief Atty. Renoir Baldovino said Wednesday, June 7.
The prosecutor's resolution came out last week in favor of France Leonard Siguero of Barangay 6 and Joel Alibango of Brgy. 5, both in Kabankalan City, and Noli Villarosa of Barangay Tangub, Bacolod City.
The dismissal of the case was due to a lack of sufficient evidence and probable cause against the three barangay officials, said Baldovino.
The illegal gambling case is relative to the reported existence of unauthorized operation of the Small Town Lottery in Kabankalan City.
Villarosa was tagged by the NBI as the alleged financier which he denied.
Baldovino said Villarosa has not filed a counter-affidavit.
The case against the said officials is based on the testimony of the barangay watchman and the collectors that the NBI arrested during their entrapment operations on February 15 in Kabankalan City.
The two Kabankalan punong barangays were allegedly protecting the said illegal gambling operation.*