Makati gambling den fronts as carnival

MANILA, Philippines - A mini-carnival in Makati City has been operating as an illegal gambling den, violating a ban in Metro Manila earlier imposed by the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), an official said Friday.

Director Carmelo Valmoria, NCRPO chief, said he ordered a raid on the mini-carnival last Wednesday after receiving reports that children and teens are among those patronizing the illegal gambling games.

Residents of Calasan street in Barangay Olympia flock to the mini-carnival, which offers gambling games such as “color” and “drop ball.”

There are no rides at the mini-carnival, a resident told The STAR.

The mini-carnival has been operating in the area for almost a month prior to the raid, reportedly with the blessings of officials from the Makati police and the Southern Police District.

But before the NCRPO raiders could arrive, the mini-carnival’s owner, identified only as a certain Dandan, shut it down.

The residents said Dandan’s police protectors could have tipped him off. They said the illegal gambling den resumed operations Thursday night.

The NCRPO had earlier banned color games at mini-carnivals, prompting the closure of mini-carnivals along Pinatubo and West Point streets in Cubao, Quezon City and in Parang, Marikina.