19 collared for drugs,
illegal gambling: PNP

Nineteen persons were arrested by the police for alleged illegal gambling and prohibited drugs violations during a raid in Bacolod City late Friday, the Philippine National Police said.

Joanne Belocura, 27, Alex Villarosa, 33, Norberto, 40, and Bern, 18, both surnamed Mercado, all of Purok Sigay, Brgy. 2, Bacolod City, were arrested for violation of Presidential Decree 1602 that prohibits illegal gambling, police reports said.

Also apprehended were Jose Tamayo, 50, of Purok Lobi, Brgy. 3, Franklin Dadivas, 46, Wenfeld Alvaran, 37, both of Brgy. Estefania, and Joemarie Aurelio, 29, of Brgy. Singcang-Airport, all in Bacolod City, police records showed.

Antonio Gasparillo, 43, of Brgy. Mansilingan, Ricardo Masicangco, 45, of Brgy. 8, Albert Padilla, 42, of Capitol Heights, Brgy. Villamonte, Alpon Famerdo, 28, of Brgy. Banago, all in Bacolod City, and Ramie Cabuga, 29, of Rizal, Zone 10, Talisay City, Negros Occidental, were also arrested, police reports said.

The police also said the 13 were caught playing "kara y krus" or "tumbo" which is prohibited under P.D. 1602 by Bacolod City Police Office Intelligence and Investigation Branch operatives in Purok Sigay at about 11:45 p.m. Friday.

Meanwhile, Arnold Niño, 37, Ricardo Delfin, 27, Louie Matli, 35, all of Purok Sigay, Brgy. 2, Bacolod City were arrested by the operatives for violations of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 in Purok Sigay the same night, the police added.

Apprehended were Berlinda Decena, 42, of Brgy. Vista Alegre, Joselyn Bolivar, 32, of Brgy. 29, both in Bacolod City, and Joey Rojo, 24, of Zone 5, Talisay City, Negros Occidental, PNP records showed.

Recovered from the suspects were nine sets of playing cards and P681 in cash believed to be bet money, police reports said.

Also seized were six plastic sachets of shabu, 27 disposable lighters, five tooters, bamboo clips, two pairs of scissors, one aluminum foil, a nine-inch fan knife, 17 empty plastic sachets, three M16, and five 9mm ammunitions from the suspects.

IIB chief, Supt. Pedrito Escarilla, said they raided the two-storey house and arrested the 19 after a tip from an informant that drug pushers are operating illegal gambling activities in the area.

Niño, however, said that they were sleeping at the second floor of the house when the police barged in and searched the area.

He added that they should not have been arrested as those who were playing "tumbo" were at the first floor and the operatives did not have a search warrant with them during the raid.

Escarilla, on the other hand, said they will file charges for violations of PD 1602 and RA 9165, City Ordinance 358, and Illegal Possession of Ammunitions against the suspects today.*PP

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National police chief
to visit province July 26

National Police chief Oscar Calderon and other police generals will arrive on July 26 in Negros Occidental to visit two major police units.

Calderon, Police Director Geary Barias and other officers, are expected to listen to various concerns to be raised by local commanders, such as the lack of firepower, mobility and communication equipment, among others, during a command conference.

Senior Supt. Rosendo Franco, police provincial director, said the problems confronting NOPPO include the shortage of vehicles for visibility patrols in towns and cities, and logistical and financial support. Franco stressed that there is need for continued training programs for policemen to enable them to reach all stakeholders, down to the barangay level, and the organization of crisis management councils in the town and city level.

Calderon will be at the Police Regional Office 6 in Iloilo City July 25 also meet commanders of police units in Western Visayas.*GPB

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