2 ARRESTED WHILE COLLECTING BETS FOR STL BOOKIES AT TARLAC PUBLIC MARKET

BY KEVIN GALANG

A MAN and a woman were arrested in a joint anti-illegal gambling operation conducted by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and  the local police at the Victoria Public Market in Tarlac.

According to  CIDG Regional Field Unit 3 chief Col. Grant Gollod, the first operation was conducted under Oplan Bolilyo in Bgy. San Gavino, Victoria, Tarlac on June 11.

The CIDG Tarlac Provincial Field Unit led by Lt. Col. Arvin Hosmillo, in coordination with the Victoria police, arrested suspects alias “Aton,” 34, of Bgy. Sta. Barbara; and alias “Edylyn,” 44, of Bgy. Bangar, both residents of Victoria, Tarlac.

The two suspects were caught while allegedly soliciting and accepting bets for an illegal numbers game commonly known as “STL bookies.”

Investigators said both suspects were registered Small Town Lottery (STL) sales agents or “cubradores” but allegedly used their legitimate authorization as a cover to conduct unauthorized betting operations outside the official system of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), a government agency overseeing lottery operations.

Confiscated from the suspects were alleged betting paraphernalia, including unauthorized “papelito” betting slips, ballpens, cash collections, and marked money used during the operation.

The CIDG RFU3 said the operation stemmed from information provided by a concerned citizen regarding ongoing illegal gambling activity in the area.

Charges for violation of PD 1602, as amended by RA 9287, were being prepared for filing before the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor in Tarlac City.

The CIDG RFU3, operating under the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, reiterated its continuing campaign against illegal gambling, in coordination with the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office(PCSO), and local police units.