11 arrested for illegal gambling

CEBU, Philippines - The police have arrested at least 11 persons, including the caretaker of a “gambling den,” during operation in Barangay 7, Tuburan town past 3 p.m. on Sunday.

The alleged caretaker, Ricardo “Roc-Ric” Notivo, 56, was arrested by police who caught him gambling in his house along with Michael Paling, 56; Dionito Conpuerto, 42; Jose Retubado Jr.; Rodrigo Montebon, 56; Reynante Goc-ong, 37; Jovan Verallo, 32; Editho Montecalvo, 62; Hilario Lubanga, 82; Cresencio Bayo, 54; and Elmer Yap, 55.

Senior Inspector William Homoc, chief of Tuburan Police Station, said that he received several complaints against Notivo who is believed to have been maintaining a “gambling den” in his house.

Homoc said the reports prompted him to apply for a search warrant.

He said that past 3 p.m. on Sunday, they implemented the search warrant issued by Judge Hermes Montero of the Regional Trial Court Branch 59 in Toledo City.

He said they have caught Notivo and 10 others in the act of playing mahjong while others were playing tong-its inside Notivo’s house.

He said that they immediately brought them to the police station.

The operatives confiscated the mahjong tiles, mahjong boards, playing cards, P2,260 bet money and the tables and chairs that were used in the illegal gambling activity.

He said that of the 11 arrested, seven posted bail while the other four had paid a fine and were released from prison.

Homoc said they will act on reports involving illegal activities in the town in spite of the administrative charges they might face.

He said he and his men have been facing charges before the Ombudsman because of a complaint stemmed from an anti-illegal gambling operation.

“Di man ta kasugat og kaso kung di ta manrabaho, ang problema kitay mo-om-om sa bayronon,” Homoc said.

Homoc hopes that the police leadership will support officers who are facing charges in line with their duty because it will be costly for a police officer to hire a lawyer.

However, he said charges are part of their job but they cannot deter them from doing their sworn duty.  (FREEMAN)