GAB, MPD teams pursue drive vs illegal OTBs
THE Games and Amusements Board (GAB), headed by Chairman Abraham “Baham” Mitra, will continue its campaign against illegal gambling even during the pandemic.
Last Friday, the GAB Anti-Illegal Gambling Unit and Manila Police District (MPD) Special Operation Unit, conducted joint operations and raided an illegal Off-Track Betting (OTB) station in Sampaloc, Manila.
Acting on complaints from concerned citizens, the GAB-AIGU under SGI-2 Glenn Pe and MPD operatives, headed by P/Sgt. Ronnine Bandong, PCpl. Lourenz Gorgon, Pat. Aaron John Joves nd PCpl. Wilson Dimzon raided the illegal OTB at the corner of Blumentrit St. and Fajardo St.in Manila.
Apprehended for violations of Presidential Decree 1602 or the Anti-Gambling (Illegal Horse Racing Bookies) were Melody Santos, 30; and Eduardo Velasquez, 33.
“Mas pinaigting po natin ang operasyon ngayong pandemic para na rin mailigtas ang ating mga kababayan na patuloy na lumalabag sa pandemic protocol dahil dito sa mga OTB. Hindi po tayo titigil hangga’t naglilipana ang mga ito,” said Pe.
Mitra, on the other hand, urged horseracing followers to turn their attention to legal online horseracing apps.
Mitra said the betting public can help the government in its fight against the pandemic by using these legal horseracing apps now being used inthe horseracing industry.
“Malaking halaga ng buwis na magagamit sana ng pamahalaan sa mga programa tulad ng paglaban sa coronavirus ang nawawala dahil sa mga illegal bookies.,” explained Mitra.
