MORE NEWS, BAGUIO CITY

Illegal gambling prevalent in Baguio City barangays
BY MIKE GUIMBATAN JR.

BAGUIO CITY – “There is gambling in the city right at the noses of Baguio’s finest,” Councilor Pinky Rondez bared enumerating eight gambling dens in various strategic parts of the city during Monday’s council session.

Rondez said it is not only jueteng that is prevalent in the city but now includes a mini casino, bingoteng, and various gambling dens.

The lady councilor raised the gambling issue before police officials defending their request for the construction of police outposts and purchase of new mobile patrol vehicles.

The council asked the city police why remains in operation but police information officer Viyo Hidalgo said police alone cannot solve jueteng or gambling unless the community and elective officials participate in its eradication.

Rondez listed the presence of a gambling den along Dagohoy street just a stone’s throw from a police outpost, illegal gambling at Urbano-Palma street just a distance from the city police headquarters, a mini casino in Irisan barangay, in Trancoville inside a billiard hall, another in Lakandula-Raja Soliman street, and another in Mines View very near the Good Shepherd convent.

Councilor Galo Weygan, a pastor-turned-politician said before the mayor took over the anti-vice task force from him, all gambling activities except jueteng was closed.

Councilor Nicasio Palaganas also expressed doubts on jueteng raids saying for the whole month of October, only one raid produced result wherein jueteng kubradores were rounded and P500 pesos confiscated.

The city council has asked the police to step up their anti vice drives. The council allocated P1.6 million for at least two mobile patrol cars.


Young men nabbed for smoking marijuana
BAGUIO CITY – Police arrested recently three young men for illegal drug use after barangay officials and a resident of Governor Pack Road here lodged a complaint against them.

Chief Supt. Eugene G. Martin, regional police director, identified the suspected drug users as Aldrin Wagayen Garcia, 20, native of San Vicente, Tarlac, resident of Governor Pack Road; Ares Guinto Sevilla, 20, student, native of Bamban, Tarlac and resident of Tuding, Itogon, Benguet; Kelvin John Malekdem Liego, 19, student, native of Tarlac, Tarlac, and resident of Bayan Park, Aurora Hill her.

He said the three were arrested by Baguio police upon complaint of barangay kagawad Eugenio Estabillo Jr. and barangay tanod chief Eugenio Edosor Palcote.

The barangay officials had earlier reported to the police that they found the three smoking marijuana in a lodging house. – Dexter A See