Suspected gambling lords yield?

Two of five suspected gambling lords identified by Task Force Katapat-II of the Department of the Interior and Local Government presented themselves voluntarily yesterday to the task force.

TFK-II commander Chief Superintendent Romeo Maganto presented suspects Melencio Lacson of Marikina and Antonio "Tony" Santos to reporters after both men gave themselves up at his office yesterday morning.

The two men were among the five implicated by Maganto in a previous report regarding the TFK-II’s operations against illegal gambling.

Lacson, in his affidavit, claimed that he is operating legitimate businesses such as a pawnshop and video rental shop in Laguna.

He denied any involvement in illegal gambling and expressed surprise that his name was mentioned by Maganto when he was interviewed in a recent television news program.

Lacson explained that his "voluntary surrender" to Maganto was not an admission of guilt but an effort to clear his name.

Santos, on the other hand, said that his involvement in illegal gambling has long been over. He even gave his pledge of support to the campaign of TFK-II against the proliferation of illegal gambling.– Marvin Sy