6 NABBED FOR ‘DROP BALL,’ ‘COLOR GAME’ IN NUEVA ECIJA

BY KEVIN GALANG

SIX people were arrested during an anti-illegal gambling operation conducted by operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Nueva Ecija Provincial Field Unit in Bgy. Bakal 3, Talavera, Nueva Ecija.

CIDG Regional Field Unit 3 chief Col. Gollod said the operation dubbed Oplan Roulette, targeted illegal “Drop Ball” and “Color Game” activities in violation of Presidential Decree 1602, which penalizes illegal gambling in the Philippines. 

Arrested were alias Enriquez, 21, of Bgy. Pag-asa, Talavera, identified as the Drop Ball operator; alias “Boy”, 16, of Bgy. Poblacion West, Science City of Muñoz, identified as the Color Game operator; alias “Valdez,” 31, helper and a resident of Bgy. Bakal 3, Talavera, bettor; alias “Nabor,” 48, a construction worker and resident of Bgy. Bakal 3, Talavera, bettor; alias “Corpin,” 25, a helper and resident of Bgy. Bakal 3, Talavera, bettor; and alias “Francisco,” 56, a tricycle driver and resident of Bgy. Catalanacan, Science City of Muñoz, bettor.

Alias “Ayra,” of Poblacion West, Muñoz City and tagged as the owner of the gambling operation, remains at-large.

Gollod said undercover operatives posed as bettors to identify the operators and players of the illegal gambling activities. 

Authorities confiscated in the operation the bet money amounting to P2,048 in various denominations; a card game board; one funnel (embudo); four card game mats (tapete);  three ping-pong balls; one color game board; and three wooden dice.

The suspects were brought to the CIDG Nueva Ecija PFU office for booking procedures and documentation and for the  filing of appropriate charges before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office of Nueva Ecija.

Gollod reiterated their commitment to intensifying efforts against illegal gambling operations in the province.