NBI arrests 42 gambling collectors in Vizcaya

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines – At least 42 gambling collectors allegedly posing as personnel of “Bingo Milyonaryo” of the state-run Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) here were arrested in separate raids conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) last Thursday.

The raids, spearheaded by the NBI central office in Manila, came in the wake of reports that the PCSO-sanctioned online gaming is being used as front for the continued operations of jueteng in the province.

Those arrested were able to raise P24,000 bail each for their temporary liberty.

Reports said some legitimate “Bingo Milyonaryo” employees here are even the ones who are in cahoots with jueteng operators to operate the so-called “Bingo sa Barangay,” which is likened to the illegal numbers game.

Sources said those behind the illegal “Bingo sa Barangay” were even using paraphernalia similar to PCSO’s online numbers game, apparently to deceive bettors.

Although those arrested presented permits from the PCSO, an NBI officer said their operations were not in consonance with the guidelines for “Bingo Milyonaryo.”

Sources also said that instead of remitting their collections to “Bingo Mil-yonaryo,” the suspects were submitting them to operators of “Bingo sa Barangay, depriving the government of revenue from the PCSO operations here.

Based on records, the franchise for PCSO’s online lottery here is held by the Moon Valley Amusement Gaming Corp. with retired police Senior Superintendent Edgardo Divina of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group reportedly acting as operations manager. 

The House of Representatives is set to conduct an inquiry into some “Bingo Milyonaryo” franchises for supposedly allowing their operations to be used as front for jueteng in cahoots with illegal gambling operators and some local officials.

Last month, Senior Superintendent Valfrie Tabian, provincial police director, said they arrested at least 13 suspected workers, including bet collectors, of the “Bingo sa Barangay.”  

Some residents though doubted the arrests since the illegal lottery has persisted, even expanding its presence in at least eight towns in the province.

Critics also alleged that last year’s executive order issued by Gov. Ruth Padilla banning all forms of illegal gambling here and her recent letter to Camp Crame calling for their eradication were just for show since some of those involved in the illegal lottery were allegedly identified with her political camp.