Santander brgy chief charged for illegal gambling

CEBU, Philippines - The Provincial Prosecutor’s Office recommended the filing of charges against a barangay captain of Liloan in the southern town of Santander for alleged illegal gambling.

Prosecutor Jay Paradiang found probable cause to indict Barangay Captain Rozalino Cepria for alleged violation of Republic Act 9287 otherwise known as Philippine law on illegal gambling.

This after the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group 7 found illegal gambling paraphernalia at his residence evening on February 23, 2011. The CIDG went to Cepria’s residence to serve a search warrant issued Judge Leopoldo Cañete of the Regional Trial Court in the Barili town.

It was the CIDG that also served as the complainant in the case.

“Respondent has failed to overturn complainant’s allegations supported by evidence the seizure of the illegal gambling materials in his house,” Paradiang said.

The CIDG said they seized 30 tally sheets with number combinations, 11 stub booklets with number combinations, 10 bundles of tally sheets with number combinations, seven ballpens, one calculator, one pentel pen, three cellular phones, one stapler, one box staple wire and P3,670 cash from Cepria’s house.

The search was witnessed by tanods Leo Pialago and Fedirico Filipinas, Jr., as well as Cepria’s wife.

Cepria, who was not present during the raid, denied the allegations in his counter-affidavit.

“The illegal gambling paraphernalia seized from my house could not be used against me since the search was illegal because during the search my wife who was present was not allowed to accompany the policemen during the actual search,” Cepria argued.

Cepria added the CIDG who applied for the search warrant reportedly had no personal knowledge of the facts and circumstances that became the basis of the warrant, as reportedly admitted by the policemen who took part in the raid.

However, Paradiang said that based on evaluation of evidences submitted, there is sufficient basis to charge Cepria in cour. - (THE FREEMAN)