INTENSIFIED operations of Cordillera police against illegal gambling from January to September this year resulted in the confiscation of bet money amounting to P317,591 and the arrest of 107 persons.
The Baguio City Police Office logged the highest number of arrests related to illegal gambling with a total of 47 followed by Abra with 30; Benguet, 10; Kalinga, 10; Mt. Province, five; and Ifugao, five.
Police surpassed the target of 31 police operations on the campaign against illegal gambling by 209.67 percent or 65 operations.
Two gamblers were earlier arrested in the city for engaging in a game of cara y cruz. The arrest was made with the cooperation of Baguio Residents Against Crime and Corruption and the city’s Public Order and Safety Division in coordination with the Baguio City Police Office.
The arrest came while police operatives were conducting a monitoring activity at Block 4, Hilltop area when they spotted the suspects identified as Matthew Eusebio Pacantis, 44, a resident of Sarok, Camp 7, and Inson Ballogan Bandao, 18, a resident of Hingyon, Ifugao Tuesday evening, October 24.
Two pieces of 25 cents and bet money amounting to P150 were confiscated from the suspects who were subsequently filed with a case of illegal gambling.
The Police Regional Office (PRO)-Cordillera called on the residents in the region to cooperate with the Philippine National Police by reporting any illegal gambling business entities in their areas for the immediate arrest of the suspects.
PRO-Cordillera also guarantees any police officer found to be involved in illegal gambling will be charged accordingly.