No let-up in drive
vs. jai-alai: CIDG

There will be no let-up against illegal jai-alai operations despite the issuance of a temporary restraining order against a Joint Memorandum Order of the Department of Justice and the Department of Interior and Local Government, stopping the operation of Meridien Vista Gaming Corp. outside the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority.

Police Director Samuel Pagdilao, head of the national Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, said this in a telephone interview where he told the DAILY STAR Wednesday that the TRO issued by the Special Sixth Division of the Court of Appeals in Manila covers only the off-fronton betting stations of Meridien, outside the CEZA.

He said the TRO will also not hamper the drive against jai-alai in Bacolod City, where there are no off-fronton betting stations.

Betting done outside off-fronton stations in other parts of the country will still be considered illegal and will be subjected to apprehension, Pagdilao said.

The joint MO of the DOJ and DILG dated June 27, 2011 states that "no law allows the operation of off-fronton betting stations, as in fact they are prohibited and criminalized under Section 5 of RA 954, an act prohibiting certain activities in connection with horse races and basque pelota games (jai-alai)."

Meridien, the only jai-alai outlet allowed to operate within CEZA, can only set up its jai-alai betting/gaming stations within the premises of the place, enclosure, or fronton where the basque pelota game is held, the MO also stated.

Earlier, Bacolod City police director, Senior Supt. Ricardo de la Paz, said the campaign against jai-alai will continue despite the granting of a TRO since there are no off betting stations in Bacolod.*APN

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Police apprehend ‘robber’
who stole from warehouse

A suspected robber was apprehended by Station 8 policemen Wednesday morning for allegedly taking several items from a warehouse in Brgy. Singcang-Airport, Bacolod City.

Arrested was Joemarie Rosejos, 28, of Purok Hollowblocks in Brgy. Singcang-Airport, Bacolod, Station 10 commander, Chief Insp. Danilo Francisco, said yesterday.

Rosejos was arrested by a team composed of Senior Police Officer 1 Regie Atienza, Police Officers 1 Jose Bobby Solina, Justine Michael Poritar and Martin Sioson when he entered the warehouse owned by the Mosser Environment Corporation, at Liroville Subdivision, at about 8:14 a.m.

The policemen seized a steel window grill valued at P7,000, aluminium wire valued at P3,000, and assorted cyclone wire valued at P2,000, from Rosejos, police records showed.

Rosejos is now in the custody of Police Station 8.*APN

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Fire destroys
2 houses in city

Fire destroyed two houses in Brgy. 3, Bacolod City, yesterday and left P100,000 in damage to properties.

Fire Officer 2 Joey Michael Victoriano said the Bacolod City Bureau of Fire Protection personnel received the call from Patrol 117 at about 7:50 a.m., informing them that two residences in Purok Lubi in Brgy. 3, Bacolod were on fire.

Three fire trucks were sent to the area and were assisted by those from the Amity and Chinese Chamber. The fire was put out at about 8:30 a.m. with no reported casualties or injured.

Surprised residents packed their things, took their children, and fled to safety while others helped in putting out the fire.

Investigation showed that the blaze, believed caused by an electrical short circuit, originated from the residence of Ma. Fe Macalalag. It also gutted the house of Angie Bordaje.

Macalalag’s residence was also damaged in March this year by fire that destroyed 10 other houses.

The BFP reminded the public once again to check their electrical connections and avoid using sub-standard electrical wires to avoid fires.*APN

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