Cops say suspect is a coordinator Brgy captain’s son falls in masiao bust

CEBU, Philippines - Policemen arrested Monday evening the son of a barangay captain in an anti-illegal gambling buy-bust operation in Barangay Suba, Cebu City.

Operatives from the City Intelligence Branch nabbed Niño Resurreccion, 30, an alleged "general coordinator" of the illegal numbers game called masiao, at around 9pm in the Resurreccion residence.

The suspect is the son of Suba Barangay Captain Rogelio Resurreccion.

Recovered during the operation were assorted tally sheets, tip sheets, a calculator and P43,000, believed to be proceeds from masiao.

Chief Insp. Romeo Santander of the CIB said that Resurreccion's arrest came after the police verified reports of the rampant illegal numbers game activities in the said barangay, which led them to the barangay captain's son.

A poseur buyer was able to buy five number combinations worth P50 from Resurreccion, which served as the basis for the arrest.

Resurreccion's name also surfaced when the CIB conducted further investigation on Randy Boliboli, an alleged masiao financier, who was arrested by the Regional Special Operations Group a week ago.

Supt. Rex Derilo, deputy chief of the RID, disclosed that sub-coordinators of Boliboli would remit their proceeds to Resurreccion, who earns at least P100,000 a day.

"Ang mga sub-coordinators adto iintriga sa iyaha ang remittances," Derilo said.

Charges for engaging in the illegal numbers game under R.A. 9287 will be filed against Resurreccion. The police will also file another case against his father for consenting, protecting and tolerating his illegal activities.

Sr. Supt. Edward Carranza, Regional Chief Directorial Staff of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-7, said they will refer the matter on the appropriate case to file against the barangay captain to their lawyer.

"He may not be involved but his house was used in the illegal activity and in fact it was very obvious nga siya ang protector," Carranza said.

The barangay captain admitted to his son's involvement in the illegal numbers game but denied he tolerated or protected his son's illegal activities.

The elder Resurreccion, who was presiding over a barangay council session when the buy-bust was conducted, alleged that his political opponents are the ones behind the operation against his son to smear the image of his administration.

"Naningkamot man sila nga madakpan ang akong anak aron maapil ko ana nila gumikan sa politika. Dili na tinood nga gi tolerate ra nako ang akong anak. Dugay na ko sigeg badlong. Pero unsaon ta man nga legal age na man siya. Active ang atong administration sa pagsugpo sa illegal gambling dinhi sa among barangay," Resurreccion explained.

Aside from the charges that the police are planning to file against him, the barangay captain may also face an administrative case being eyed by Suba resident Nanette Garong, who is reportedly planning to run for barangay captain in the coming elections.

"The father should be responsible. Inflagrante delicto sulod sa ilang panimalay. Kung gitugot na sa amahan sulod sa iyang panimalay, unsa pa kaha sa tibuok barangay? Amahan sa nadakpan lector sa simbahan ug kapitan sa barangay. In that case, delikado ang kaugmaon sa among barangay," Garong told The Freeman.

She added that they will file a formal complaint before the court or Office of the Ombudsman to let the barangay captain prove his innocence.

"Andam ug hangpon namo ang kahigayonan nga mapasakaan ug kaso sa korte o sa Ombudsman si Roger, dili isip kaatbang niya sa politika o unsa pa nga personal nga rason, kung dili isip usa sa mga concerned citizens nga nagpakabana sa among barangay ug ingon man pud sa paghatag ug patas nga kahigayonan ngadto ni Roger nga makahatag sa iyang habig ngadto sa korte o sa Obmudsman kay aduna man ta'y gitawag ug due process," Garong continued.

The elder Resurreccion, who is running for councilman in the coming barangay elections, said he is ready to face whatever charges will be filed against him.

"Subo palandungon nga gipadakop mi nila gumikan sa politika. Wala tay mahimo ana gawas nga atubangon. Pero ako lang klaruhon nga wala ko mag tolerate sa illegal gambling sa maong barangay. Dili ko ingon ana ka arogante aron sumbalikan nako sila ug pasaka ug kaso kay kahibaw na sila nga pobre ra ko. Wala sad koy panahon aron balikan ang mga tawo nga nagpaluyo ani aron madaut ang among ngalan sa among barangay," he said.

Meanwhile, the same group of policemen also arrested David Hera, an alleged member of the Alpha Kappa Rho fraternity, in an illegal drugs buy-bust operation in Barangay Mambaling.

CIB seized from Hera 138 rolled marijuana sticks worth P15,000, eight shotgun bullets, 16 9mm bullets and a 9mm pistol.

The rolled marijuana sticks were submitted to the Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory-7 for chemical analysis while the firearm was also submitted for ballistics examination.-/QSB (FREEMAN)