CAMP RAFAEL C. RODRIGUEZ, Butuan City – The Police Regional Office-13 arrested 219 individuals for illegal gambling from May 10 to 16 in the Caraga region.

PRO-13 Director Police Brig. Gen. Pablo G. Labra II said that 118 operations were conducted by the PRO-13 as part of the “One-Time, Big-Time” campaign against illegal gambling in the region.

The Surigao del Sur Police Provincial Office (PPO) arrested 60 individuals; Agusan del Sur PPO, 50; Agusan del Norte PPO and Surigao del Norte PPO, 28 each; Butuan City Police Office, 30; Regional Intelligence Division-13, 14; Dinagat Islands PPO, seven; and the Regional Mobile Force Battalion-13, two.

Arrested were four operators, 19 ushers, 42 bettors, and 154 players of “tong-its” (three-player rummy card game), cockfighting, bookies, mahjong, “cara y cruz” (coin game), and “pusoy” (a type of card game), Labra said.

The operation was carried out in connection with the five-focused agenda of PNP chief Police Gen.  Benjamin C. Acorda Jr. highlighting aggressive and honest law enforcement operations to address the existence and proliferation of various types of illegal gambling activities.

Investigators have referred 64 cases to the prosecutor’s office for violation of Presidential Decree 1602 that prescribes stiffer laws against illegal gambling.

“The crackdown on illegal gambling continues to arrest those involved,” Labra said. “Additionally, I appeal to residents for their participation and support in the elimination of illegal gambling in the region,” Labra added.

Seized from the suspects were P125,966 bet money.