POLICE rounded seven persons in separate operations against illegal gambling in Cebu earlier this week.
On Tuesday, September 6, 2022, operatives of the Regional Intelligence Division 7 led by Lieutenant Colonel Ronnie Failoga arrested 24-year-old Philip Mapoy Laging in Sitio Sog-ong, Barangay Taboc, Danao City.
Although Laging works for the Saturn Gaming N’ Amusement Corp., the company authorized by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office to operate the Small Town Lottery (STL) numbers game swertres in the province, he allegedly works as a pusher for an unauthorized operator.
Police seized P280 believed to be proceeds from illegal gambling from the native of Tagbilaran City, Bohol.
The suspect’s companion, alias Warren, escaped. Warran is suspected of being a coordinator for the unauthorized STL.
Also on Tuesday, the Carcar City Police Station arrested three suspected pushers for the unauthorized STL in different operations.
They were identified as Rolando Traya Panugaling, 56, a resident of Sitio Albor, Barangay Liburon; Jonel Lapiña, 33, a resident of Sitio Tubod, Barangay Valladolid; and Roldan Emphasis Gemelisawan, 38, a resident of Sitio Poste, Barangay Ocaña.
A total of P1,502 believed to be proceeds from illegal gambling were seized from the three men.
On Wednesday, September 7, Jose Roy Bubuli Pansoy, 41, was arrested in Barangay Dakit, Barili, while Yoradly Maghanoy Marimon, 37, was arrested in Barangay Poblacion in Samboan. Russel Perono Juarez, 31, was collared in Barangay Tuyan, City of Naga.
Police seized P100 from Pansoy, P200 from Marimon and P355 from Juarez, as well as gambling paraphernalia.
The Police Regional Office 7 earlier said that it was intensifying its campaign against illegal gambling.
Meanwhile, Saturn Gaming general manager Andrea Alzate released a statement following the arrest of one of their employees.
"Saturn Gaming is the authorized operator of STL in Cebu Province. We will not tolerate our employees who get involved with unauthorized operators,” she said in Cebuano. (BBT)