Massive anti-gambling ops in Mandaue net 14 linked to illegal numbers game

CEBU, Philippines - Police arrested 14 alleged coordinators of an illegal numbers game in simultaneous anti-gambling operations Thursday evening in Mandaue City.

Elements from the City Intelligence Branch led by Police Superintendent Josefino Ligan, Investigative and Detective Management Branch and six police stations raided eight areas which led to the arrest of swertres coordinators, five of them women, eight men while one was a minor boy.

CIB operatives arrested Denith Paraison in Barangay Subangdaku and Centro police collared Kiem Eburda, 26, in his residence in Barangay Mantuyong.

Basak police were able to arrest three coordinators in three sitios in Barangay Pagsabungan, later identified as CJ Alison, 20, of Sector 4; Kevin Santos, 21, of Sector 5; and Shikainah Bacus, 23, of Sector 4.

Three were also arrested by the Casuntingan police, namely Sean Parba, 24, of Sitio Pilit, Barangay Cabancalan while Perla May Kahulugan,19,  and Lord Tawag were arrested in a separate raid in Barangay Maguikay.

Opao police nabbed Jean May Lopez, 22, of Barangay Looc, while Jacob Licayan and a 16-year-old minor were arrested in Sitio Paradise, still in Barangay Looc. Jessa Mae Latasan was arrested separately in her residence in Bantayan sa Hari.

In barangay Cubacub, operatives of Canduman police raided a house but no one was arrested. However, police confiscated pieces of evidence in the site.

Meanwhile, IDMB operatives arrested James Mercado, 21, resident of Barangay Banilad.

Also, operatives of the Subangdaku police raided a residence in Barangay Subangdaku but failed to arrest three swertres personalities in the area after their subject reportedly sensed police's arrival.

Nonetheless, police were able to seize several tally sheets and printing machines.

In a separate interview, Ligan said the campaign was in compliance with the directives of Police Regional Office-7 director Police Chief Superintendent Prudencio Bañas who earlier declared all-out war against illegal drugs and illegal gambling.

Ligan said all the arrested persons were new players in the illegal games. Cases of violation of RA 9287 or the Anti-Illegal Gambling Act were already filed against the suspects yesterday, he added.  (FREEMAN)