“Masiao financier”, 25 others arrested

CEBU, Philippines - Twenty six people including a suspected financier of illegal numbers game were arrested in Barangay Zapatera during an operation conducted by the Cebu City Intelligence Branch last Saturday.

Edgar Ho Lim, 55, and 25 others were caught in the act of tallying the results of the illegal numbers game.

CIB operatives swooped into Lim’s house at 10:30 pm based on the search warrant issued by Regional Trial Court Branch 12 Judge Estella Alma Singco for violation of the Republic Act 9287.

Police operatives seized several illegal gambling paraphernalia, two Minolta copier machines, 16 fax machines, assorted tally sheets and stabs, all with numbers combination, as well as a Caspian 9mm pistol with magazine loaded with six bullets, and a .357 revolver with bullets.

Operatives were assisted by the barangay officials and barangay tanods of Zapatera during the raid.

Chief Insp. Romeo Santander, CIB chief, said all of the suspects were caught by surprise when the raiding team arrived. He said Lim is a known “masiao” and swertres financier operating not only in Cebu City but in some towns of Cebu province as well.

“Nag-atang pa gani siya sa fax machine pag-abot namo murag gikan to sa probinsiya ang natala. (He was waiting for the results from the province to be faxed when we arrived),” Santander said.

Lim denied ownership of the firearms seized inside his house but Santander said he will file criminal complaints for illegal possession of firearms against him.

Lim will also face criminal complaints for violation of RA 9287 or an act increasing the penalties for illegal numbers game, amending certain provisions of PD 1602.

Santander considered last Saturday’s arrest as one of their biggest haul this year in their continuous campaign against illegal gambling. —/FPL (FREEMAN)