Barangay captain nabbed for masiao

CEBU - A female barangay captain from Argao town, suspected to be an illegal numbers game financier, fell into the hands of the law in a raid last Saturday night.

Panadtaran, Argao barangay captain Pacita Villamora was arrested by a team from the Provincial Intelligence Bureau (PIB) led by Chief Insp. Ma. Elma de los Santos.

Sr. Insp. Jason Mangaron, of the PIB, confirmed that Villamora was arrested along with six other people, who were allegedly busy tallying the numbers when they were arrested.

Mangaron said the raid was pursuant to a warrant issued by Regional Trial Court Judge Geraldine Faith Econg covering the stall rented by Villamora at the Argao Public Market.

Arrested with the barangay captain were Michael and Markim Gegramosa, Isabelo Remorosa, Cipriana Tampoy, Del Niño Bajenting and Helen Puerto all from the mountain barangay of Panadtaran.

Part of the evidence confiscated were eight masiao stubs with numbers; one Jai Alai Computer Tip Sheet; one Jai Alai Spread; 59 tally sheets with numbers; 20 central tally sheets; several empty tally sheets; seven calculators; six ballpens; one stapler and cash believed to be proceeds of the clandestine game amounting to P5,267.

Masiao is an illegal numbers game that is popular in the Visayas where bettors pick three numbers.

In an interview with one of those arrested, Gegramosa said he was merely there to get viand for supper since the stall rented by Villamora was an eatery.

He said the eatery is operated by his brother Michael.

He alleged that by night time though, the venue is used for the operations of the illegal numbers game.

The suspects were brought to the PIB office yesterday morning and are now temporarily detained at the Talisay City Hall Detention Cell.

The suspects will be charged with violation of the anti-illegal gambling law under Presidential Decree 1602.

Villamora being a public official will also be facing administrative charges for violating the Code and Ethical Standards of Public Officials.

Earlier this month PIB also arrested also a suspected big-time masiao financier in Bogo City. The team also confiscated P30,000 in that operation.

Cebu Provincial Police Director Sr. Supt. Carmelo Valmoria directed PIB to intensify and go after top operators of illegal gambling activities particularly masiao and video karera.

A masiao coordinator is described to be a person, who collects the tally sheets and/or the corresponding cash from the usher who is a person engaged in selling the stubs.

The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) admitted that the continued proliferation of “jueteng” and “masiao” is competing with the Small town lottery (STL), which has been pushed as government’s antidote to the illegal numbers game.

Coordinators and financiers reportedly earn P50,000 to P100,000 daily. — /NLQ (THE FREEMAN)