MORE NEWS, BAGUIO CITY

Cops nab Cordillera illegal gamblers in renewed drive
BY MIKE GUIMBATAN JR.

BAGUIO CITY – At least five persons were arrested here for gambling following police directive to strengthen campaign against illegal gambling activities in the region including the resurgent jueteng now under new management.

The five persons were arrested while on the act of playing cards on Dec. 18 at about 8:20 a.m.along Dagohoy St., Baguio City by intelligence operatives led by SPO2 Elvie Gumangan.
A total of P1,150.00 cash bets in different denominations, one set of blue Bicycle playing cards, twelve pieces of white, plastic chips were confiscated from the suspects during the operation. All the suspects were released on promise to appear note upon written order of inquest prosecutor Conrado Catral Jr.

Another team from Tuba, Benguet police led by Insp. Dionisio A Fianza conducted raid on Dec. 18 at about 8 p.m. at the house of one Marcelo Gabriel y Dela Cruz, 54, a resident of Poblacion, Tuba from a report that bingo is being conducted in this house.

This resulted to the confiscation of the following paraphernalia: 347 pieces of bingo cards, 75 pieces bingo balls, P820.00 pesos cash, and two colored belt bag with bingo cards. Police said no one was arrested because the group scampered to different directions upon sensing the presence of the police.

A Camp Dangwa press release said “this will be an unending conduct of operations by PNP personnel. Gambling activities can be reported to the police for appropriate action and arrest those involved in running this kind of business and those who patronize it.” But the Baguio council was not impressed with the anti-gambling drive. Councilors Fred Bagbagen and Pinky Rondez said big time jueteng is still rampant in the city aggravated by the resurgence of eight small time casinos. In a privilege speech, Rondez said jueteng is active but illegal gambling now includes a mini casino, bingoteng, and various gambling dens.

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

Rondez listed presence of a gambling den along Dagohoy street just a stones 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 Tancoville 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 were closed.

Councilor Nicasio Palaganas also expressed doubts on the jueteng raid saying for the whole month of October, only one raid resulted to the rounding up jueteng kubradores and confiscation of P500.

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