AN intensified anti-illegal gambling campaign in Pangasinan resulted in the arrest of 173 violators last Wednesday, August 19.

P/Brig. Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr, PNP regional director, said the anti-Illegal gambling plan “Operations High Roller” was conducted in one city and eight towns in the province that resulted not only in the arrests of 173 but the confiscation of P862,665 bet money in different denominations.

In Calasiao, 44 persons were nabbed while P274, 985 bet money was seized; in Mangatarem, two were arrested and confiscated P778; in San Jacinto, 27 persons were arrested and P67, 120 seized; in San Fabian, 37 arrested and P276,462 seized; in Malasiqui, 20 arrested and P169,854 confiscated; in Asingan, one nabbed and P320 seized; in Dagupan City, one was arrested and seized P205; while 4 were nabbed in Binmaley and P60,522 confiscated.

The apprehended violators failed to present documents authorizing the operation of Small Town Lottery (STL) and card games in their respective municipality, and no Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) representatives proved that their operation was legitimate.

Identified as the alleged manager/operator of the illegal number games (jueteng) in the province of Pangasinan was Efren Ricafort  Fajardo, incumbent barangay captain of Sagud Bahley in San Fabian town.

The PRO1’s report said that Fajardo is a graduate of Philippine Military Academy Class of 1993, a former member of Philippine Air Force.

Azurin said that the crackdown of illegal gambling is part of the PRO1’s initiative to stop illegal gambling in Region 1 in response also to the President’s directive to end illegal gambling in the country.

Since the declaration of the Enhanced Community Quarantine on March 16 in Luzon, the PCSO has suspended all gaming activities to include STL and Peryahan ng Bayan which was also concurred by the Inter Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases. (PhilStar Wire Service/ECV)

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