Vice mayor, 2 cops nabbed for gambling

By Victor Martin

SANTIAGO CITY, Isabela – A municipal vice mayor and two police officers were arrested along with six others for gambling in Tuguegarao, Cagayan on July 18.

Vice Mayor Jolly Taberner, 65, of Maconacon town in Isabela was arrested along with S/Sgts. Maconel Pascua and Christine Ruiz, according to Brig. Gen. Crizaldo Nieves, Cagayan Valley regional police director.

Pascua, a resident of Maconacon town, is reportedly a close security aide of Taberner while Ruiz is assigned at the regional police community affairs and development division.

Aside from them, the raiding team also arrested Marlene Bautista, 52, of the Department of Agriculture; retired police officer Gerry Adducul, 66; Jayson Allam, 39; Pedro Baggay, 33; Grace Laggui, 44, and Peter Laggui, all of Tuguegarao.

The suspects were reportedly caught playing mahjong at around 2:50 p.m. at the house of Peter Laggui in Barangay Balzain.

Authorities seized  two sets of mahjong tiles, three pairs of dice, tables, chairs, a caliber .45 pistol and cash money amounting to P3,310.

Charges of illegal gambling and violation of the quarantine protocols will be filed against the suspects, Nieves said.  Artemio Dumlao, Raymund Catindig