26 nabbed for jueteng operations in Benguet

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Lawmen arrested here Tuesday 26 persons allegedly involved in jueteng operations in renewed drive against illegal gambling.

Cordillera regional police director Chief Supt. Benjamin B. Magalong, said town police and elements of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Cordillera nabbed the suspects at km. 4, Barangay Balili, La Trinidad around 12:30 p.m. April 23.

He said 20 of the arrested individuals were revisadors, two kobradors, two drivers, a cashier and a farmer.

            

The operating team led by Senior Insp. Davis Antero Locloc of La Trinidad police and Chief Insp. Larry D. Buansi of  the CIDG identified the arrested persons, all revisadores and natives of Quezon province: Roberto L. Magadia, 34; Roel M. Ramos,32; Lester M. Mercado, 25; Arjay Sumig, 19; Johnray F. Bathan, 21; Ronald H. De Castro, 38’ Ronald C. Magnaye, 37; Kirby M. Cruz, 19; Rolando R. Sumagi, 25; Bernardo R. Bakal, 43; Ronnie M. Gonzalez, 44; Rodel R. Masangkay, 39; Jesson R. Macatangay, 39; Carding D. Alvarez, 42; Darwin R. Aquino, 29; Jeffrey M. Azul, 43; Rodel C. Limbo, 33; Kenneth G. Garcia, 23 and Donato F. Bautista, 36.

            

A certain Roberto A. Rebang, 34, of Calauan, Laguna and revisador was also arrested.

            

Meanwhile, the arrested kobradors were identified as  Joseph N. Galang, 47, a resident of Upper San Carlos Heights and Rodolfo A. Corona, 31, Rose Alley Gibraltar, both in Baguio City.

            

The arrested drivers were identified as Uri R. Elezaldy, 44 and Raffy R. Palma, 61.

The cashier was named as Joel A. Untalan, 35 while the farmer was JD A. De La Cruz, 29, all natives of Quezon.

            

A police report said a concerned citizen informed the operating team that there were people engaging in illegal numbers game in the area.

The lawmen responded, arrested all suspects and seized gambling paraphernalia.

            

Items confiscated were ballpens, calculators; rubber bands, stamp pads, illustration boards, plastic coins, ledger books, glycerine cups, columnar pad and cash amounting to P285.

Also confiscated were papers with marking “Meridien Vista Gaming Corporation.”

The firm’s name was reportedly being used as front for jueteng operations wherein jai alai results were allegedly being propped as winning numbers.  

Two utility vehicles with Plate No. DNF-242 and DPL-301 which were reportedly used in transporting and delivering of cash bets were also confiscated.   

All arrested persons and the confiscated items were brought to the CIDG office in Baguio City while cases for illegal gambling were filed against them.