In line with government’s intensified campaign against illegal gambling, the National Bureau of Investigation operatives of Anti-Organized Transnational Crime Division has arrested 12 individuals for illegal gambling in Sta. Cruz, Manila.
Arrested during an entrapment operation conducted by the NBI-AOTCD operatives were George Reyes Velasco (supervisor), Rolan Allan De Leon Ramos, Jim Philip Cesar Concha (bet collectors), Editha Silvestre Chan (personnel), Antonio Adriano Baloran, Benito Hao Dy, Bonifacio Orolfo Arboleda Jr., Rolando Tuano Ortega, Sanny Bello Bobares, Eric Cunanan Dela Cruz, Christian De Guzman Landicho, Chua Chi Ben (bettors).
On April 11, 2017, the NBI received a letter from Abraham Kahlil B. Mitra, chairman, Games and Amusement Board, requesting action on suspected bookie joints. One of the areas identified to have illegal bookie operations is at Park View Hotel Restaurant, KTV and Coffee Shop Co. in Sta. Cruz, Manila.
Under strict orders from NBI Director Dante Gierran to immediately act on the request, AOTCD operatives conducted surveillance operations to validate the information.
After confirmation of information, an entrapment operation was conducted Thursday night, May 18, 2017, resulting in the arrest of the aforementioned suspects for violation of R.A. 9287 (An Act Increasing the Penalties for Illegal Number Games, amending certain provisions of P.D. 1602, and for other purposes), with an expected penalty of Prision Mayor or six years up to 12 years.
All the arrested suspects have been charged before the Office of the Prosecutor of Manila.