PRO8 anti-illegal gambling drive nets 7 persons

By RPCRD, Police Regional Office 8
July 14, 2013

CAMP KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte – The intensified anti-illegal gambling operations conducted by the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO8) resulted in the arrest of seven persons in Samar, Leyte and Southern Leyte provinces.

Police Chief Superintendent Elmer R. Soria, PRO8 director, said that while his men are conducting stepped-up implementation of illegal gambling laws, partnership with the community is still needed to sustain the momentum his office has gained in minimizing the gambling menace.

“The fight against illegal gambling will only succeed through stronger partnership with various stakeholders including local officials, the members of the religious sector and the media,” the police official added.

He informed that he directed police chiefs to coordinate with elected local officials to map-out strategies and gather community support in the anti-gambling crusade.

On Thursday evening, two successive operations conducted by the Regional Special Operations Group (RSOG) in Pinabacdao and Villareal towns in Samar resulted in the apprehension of two suspected collectors of illegal numbers game locally known as “swertres”.

At around 6:00 p.m., operation conducted at Brgy. Mambog, Pinabacdao town by RSOG led by PInsp. Constantino Jabonete, Jr. led to the arrest of Leo Abinguna, 55, while collecting bets for “swertres” and the recovery of one bundle of stub containing entry of different number combinations and bets dated July 10, 2013 for 9:00 p.m. draw, “swertres” tip, ballpen and P150.00 cash bet.

An hour later, same police team conducted anti-gambling operations at Sitio Lusong, Brgy. Canmucat, Villareal town leading to the arrest of one Rogelio Oreo, alias Bagwis, 30, while engaged collecting “swertres” tally sheets containing different number combinations and bets dated July 10, 2013.

In Leyte, police operations conducted in Brgy. Combis, Dulag and Brgy. Sawang, Carigara towns resulted in the arrest of Armando Oteros, 34, and Roy Urmeneta, 37, respectively, with total confiscated cash bet of P320.00 and several “swertres” paraphernalia.

Anti-illegal gambling operations in Liloan, Hinunangan and Tomas Oppus towns resulted in the arrest of three persons - Roland Sirel, Alfredo Aling and Roel Montibon – while engaged in collecting bets for “swertres” with total confiscated bet amounting to P490.00 and several gambling paraphernalia confiscated.