Barangay turns over gambling machines to CH

CEBU, Philippines -  At least nine gambling machines confiscated in Barangay Tisa were destroyed at the Cebu City Hall yesterday.

This as Tisa Barangay Captain Philip Zafra resolved against bribery after a recent attempt of an unidentified person to bribe him with P10,000 cash per week on a condition that he will protect the illegal gambling in the barangay.

“Nagpahibaw ‘ta sa atong state of the barangay address, kon naay illegal business sa Tisa, pamalhin mo or panghunong mo,” he said.

Someone who the barangay also failed to identify also wanted to buy the mother boards of the demolished video karera and moli-moli machines at P5,000 each, Zafra said.

Zafra said that in order for him and his staff to avoid being tempted with the bribery, he decided to turn over the illegal machines and have the destruction done in front of Mayor Michael Rama.

 “Ato untang ikiha kon asa ni nakabutang ang machines pero wala nay nitug-an kay I know kani sila agi ra pod og protekta sa taga-ilaha didto,” he added.

According to the barangay captain, the machines were recovered in areas where illegal drugs are also rampant.

Zafra, also president of the Association of Barangay Councils, urged other barangay officials to follow suit and not allow illegal activities in their respective barangays.

He said there is a possibility that illegal gamblers will be transferring from one barangay to another.

The ABC, Zafra said, will not stop in going after the people responsible for the illegal gambling as well as illegal drugs in the city.

The confiscated machines contained about P90,000 coins, which will be turned over to the City Treasurer’s Office, said Zafra. — (FREEMAN)