Cop ‘protecting’ illegal video machines nabbed

A member of the Western Police district (WPD), suspected to be a maintainer of illegal video game machines, was arrested for allegedly trying to redeem the seized illegal machines at the city police station early yesterday morning in Malabon City.

Malabon police chief Superintendent Pete Ramos said he ordered the immediate arrest of SPO1 Jessie Ramos, 44, married, detailed at the WPD’s security and support unit (DSSU), and resident of Barangay, Hulong Duhat, when he tried to seek the release ("areglo" or "ayos" in local parlance) of the illegal gambling machines from police authorities.

Ramos said what got his goat was the alleged "name-dropping" the suspect made. Police sources said the suspect allegedly claimed to be related to Ramos in his attempt to take back the two "fruit game" machines seized by the police earlier. Ramos said he is not related in any way, by blood or by marriage, to the Manila cop.

Prior to his arrest, Ramos said he had been receiving complaints from concerned residents including some relatives of SPO1 Ramos about the operation of illegal fruit game video machines in the barangay. After checking on the veracity of the complaints, the Malabon police chief immediately ordered his men to conduct a raid at a small structure in Sulukan Street at around 3 a.m. where they seized two illegal gambling machines.