Cop, 19 others nabbed for illegal gambling
POLICE Regional Office 7 director Brig. Gen. Roque Edgardo Vega yesterday announced the arrest of 20 men led by a local policeman for involvement in illegal gambling activities in Central Visayas.
The official said that Police Staff Sergeant June Ernie Camero, assigned at the Provincial Plans and Program Unit of the Cebu Police Provincial Office was arrested during an anti-tupada raid in Bgy. Cabadiangan in Liloan, Cebu at 5 p.m. last Saturday.
The raid was conducted by members of the PRO7 Regional Intelligence Division and Regional Special Operations Group, with the assistance of local police territorial units.
Also arrested during the anti-illegal gambling operation in Purok Dragon Fruit in Sitio Ka Santos, Bgy. Cadiangan were 11 other “sabungeros” who, along with SSgt. Camero, were found to be engaged in “tigbakay” or illegal cockfighting.
The 11 others were identified as Jefferson Cabatingan, Carlos Renato Bugtai, Jose Magdadaro Jr, Renaldo Siroy, Carlo Suico, Marvin Suico, Romelino Seroy, Rubin Himarangan, Wilfredo Mandawe, Randel Yuson and Fernando Intena.
Confiscated from the suspects were fighting cocks, two pieces of gaffs, and P1,500 in cash bets.
Vega said that the arrested policeman will be facing administrative charges for his offense apart from being charged for illegal gambling, along with the 11 others.
The arrest of the Cebu policeman came barely two days after Philippine National Police chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos visited the region and instructed Vega to continue going after all forms of illegal gambling activities and arrest law enforcement agents who will be found to be involved in these illegal acts or are protecting them amid the new normal brought about by the pandemic.
“Huwag ma involve sa sugal, droga at casino. Mahigpit na paalala ito ng ating Chief,PNP, Gen. Dionardo Carlos nung bumisita sa PRO7. Walang sasantuhin, ma-pulis ka man o ordinaryong mamamayan, mananagot ka sa batas! Magsilbi sana itong paalala sa lahat ng kapulisan, iwasan ang ilegal na gawain at huwag hayaan na madungisan ang dangal at serbisyo bilang mga tapat na alagad ng batas,” the Central Visayas police commander said
Vega said that the other suspects were arrested in separate operations in Metro Cebu and the province.
