36 nabbed in NCRPO anti-gambling drive

MANILA, Philippines - At least 36 people were arrested and P21,000 worth of bets were confiscated in a week-long drive against illegal gambling by the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), an official said yesterday.

One of those arrested, Darwin Delato, 29, was found carrying a .45 caliber pistol and sachets of shabu while placing bets in a “color game” at a local carnival at the corner of West Point street and Aurora Boulevard in Cubao, Quezon City.

NCRPO chief Director Carmelo Valmoria ordered the filing of gun and drug charges against Delato with the Quezon City prosecutor’s office.

Valmoria said the series of illegal gambling raids was part of the NCRPO’s aim to rid the metropolis of vice.

Aside from the color games in Cubao, police officers also raided two more carnivals, one at the corner of Aurora Boulevard and Pinatubo street, also in Cubao, and one in Marikina City.

They also raided a loteng (a numbers game) joint in Sto. Niño, Parañaque City; sakla (a card game) dens in Barangay Manuyo, Las Piñas City, Caloocan City and Navotas City; and a video karera (a type of arcade machine) operation of a certain Rey Recto in Quezon City.