ILOILO City – The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) has warned the public that illegal gambling remains prohibited even during wakes, stressing that individuals caught engaging in unauthorized betting activities may be arrested.
The warning follows the arrest of a barangay councilor and three other men who were allegedly caught playing tumbo, a gambling game, during a wake in Barangay Poblacion, Leon, Iloilo, on October 10.
Police recovered gambling paraphernalia at the scene, including a coin box containing chalk, a tong (gambling equipment), and betting money.
PRO-6 director Brigadier General Randulf Tuaño said there are no exemptions under Presidential Decree No. 1602, or the Anti-Illegal Gambling Law, for illegal gambling activities conducted at wakes.
“A wake is not a reason to violate the law. There are no exemptions for illegal gambling, and those caught engaging in such activities may be arrested by the police,” Tuaño said.
Tuaño stressed that gambling activities involving money, including tong-its, pusoy, tumbo, mahjong, and other unauthorized card games or betting activities, may violate the law.
“Even if people are gathered for a wake, this does not mean illegal gambling is allowed. We must continue to respect and abide by the law,” he said.
He also reminded the public that police would enforce the law regardless of the occasion or location where illegal gambling takes place.
“Our objective is to enforce the law and prevent prohibited activities. We urge the public to stay away from illegal gambling to avoid facing criminal charges,” Tuaño said.
PRO-6 urged the public to cooperate with authorities and report illegal gambling activities in their communities./PN
