PHILRACOM

[NiHAWmA]

By LEONARD D. POSTRADO
July 12, 2010, 5:25pm

At least six alleged “bookies” of an illegal horse-racing gambling game were arrested last Sunday evening in Sta. Cruz district in Manila as authorities renewed their campaign against all forms of gambling in the city.

This as Supt. Ernesto Fojas Jr., head of the Manila Police District (MPD) – District Intelligence Division (DID), said they are now verifying reports that operators of Illegal Horse Racing in Sta. Cruz district had been proliferating despite Mayor Alfredo Lim's earlier directive to crush any form of illegal gambling in the city.

“We are not sure if this is an isolated case as far as illegal gambling in the city is concerned, but the arrest of six bet collectors is something that we are looking into now. I already ordered my men to conduct an investigation on that issue,” the Manila police official said in an interview.

The alleged bookies arrested by operatives of the MPD-DID were identified as Brian Malaga, 28; Romualdo Borilla, 48; Gil Bon, 40; Eduardo Sytian, 60; Jethro Frias, 28; and Rhanelle Pilande; 36.

According to Fojas, the six persons were arrested in separate operations along Tomas Mapua Street and Felix Huertas Street, both in Sta. Cruz, Manila at around 8 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., Sunday.

Recovered from the suspects were racing Dividendazo (racing program), list of bets (ruta), bet tickets, ballpens and bet money amounting to P1,200.

According to Fojas, they received a phone call from an anonymous caller urging them to conduct an investigation on the ongoing illegal horse gambling game in Sta. Cruz district.

Operatives of the MPD-District Police Intelligence and Operations Unit (DPIOU) headed by Police Chief Insp. Fernando Opelanio were dispatched to the two locations to verify the report. Upon arriving at the area, the law enforcers quickly spotted a small crowd of people engaged in the betting.

The group of bettors suddenly scampered away after seeing the arrival of the police officers who chased the supposed gamblers.

The police officers eventually arrested the six persons, according to Fojas.

The suspects who are now detained at the MPD-Integrated Jail, will be charged with violation of R.A. 9289 Illegal Gambling (Illegal Horse Racing / Bookies).

Meanwhile, Vice Mayor Isko Moreno urged barangay officials and parents Monday to help the city government in its stepped-up campaign against all forms of illegal gambling in the city.

Moreno said the parents can help by keeping an eye on their children, closely monitoring their activities and reporting to authorities should they have any information about illegal gambling in their area.

The barangay officials, on the other hand, may report to City Hall the continued existence or operation of illegal gambling devices such as video karera, fruit games or color games.
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