ILOILO — A man was arrested after he was allegedly caught accepting bets for an alleged unauthorized Small Town Lottery (STL) operation in Estancia, Iloilo on Thursday, July 9.
The suspect, identified only by the alias “Rico,” a resident of Estancia, was apprehended by personnel of the Estancia Municipal Police Station (MPS).
Police Lieutenant Adrian Baligod, officer-in-charge of the Estancia MPS, said the operation was launched immediately after authorities received a report regarding the suspect’s alleged illegal gambling activities.
“Upon receiving information, our personnel immediately conducted a police operation. The suspect was caught in the act of accepting bets for an unauthorized STL operation called bookies,” Baligod said.
Police said the suspect had already collected more than P1,000 in bet money when he was arrested.
“The evidence gathered during the operation was sufficient to establish that the illegal betting activity was ongoing. We immediately placed the suspect under arrest and confiscated the betting money and other pieces of evidence,” Baligod added.
The suspect is now under the custody of the Estancia MPS, facing charges for violating Presidential Decree No. 1602, the law prescribing stiffer penalties on illegal gambling.
Baligod said the operation forms part of the continuing campaign against illegal gambling in the province.
The Iloilo Police Provincial Office said it remains committed to strengthening its campaign against illegal gambling./PN
