Lady coordinator nabbed

CEBU, Philippines - A lady general masiao coordinator was arrested and seized from her were several gambling machines and paraphernalia in Barangay Mambaling, Cebu City last Monday night.

The suspect, identified as Belen Monte alias Brenda, 38, was caught in the act of receiving the bet-bust money, said City Intelligence Branch chief Romeo Santander.

Santander said that as a general masiao coordinator, Monte is second in command to the financier, or the person who finances the illegal gambling operation that covers Cebu City and other towns.

“Siya ang mo-endorse sa mga tally sheets. Gaandar pa ang fax machine na from Tuburan pag-adto namo,” he said.

Santander said that for weeks of surveillance, they were able to confirm Monte’s illegal gambling operation in Barangay Mambaling although she has been transferring from one place to another to deceive authorities.

The CIB chief further said that Monte did not identify her financier but she is linked to previous masiao financiers who were previously arrested of which one of them was Randy Bulibuli.

Seized items were 12 fax machines, 105 bundles of tally sheets with three-digit number combinations, 20 rolls of fax papers, calculators, staplers, ballpens, markers, and P50, the bust money.

Santander said they also recovered a receipt with P124,000 amount written on it apparently a remittance.

Monte did not reportedly resist during the operation and was cooperative to the police.

A charge for violation of the Republic Act 9287 will be filed against the suspect who is now temporarily detained at the Cebu City Police Office detention cell. — (FREEMAN)