THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-Bacolod head warns those who are involved in illegal gambling to stop or they will face the consequences.
NBI-Bacolod chief Lawyer Renoir Baldovino confirmed the filing of cases against four alleged illegal gambling operators in the province who have been charged in court for violation of Presidential Decree 1602, as amended by Republic Act (RA) 9287, known as act increasing penalties for illegal numbers game.
Baldovino identified the respondents as Joevel Espora and Liczl Rentoy, both of Sipalay City, as well as Dinah Katalbas Surigao, of Barangay Payao, Binalbagan, and Leizel Trembol, with aliases of Val, Mookey and Nonoy.
Valdovino said that the filing of charges against the four was due to the cooperation extended to them by owners of houses in Sipalay City and Binalbagan, who had been rented for use as remittance centers of “ Vikings Peryahan ng Bayan.”
If found guilty by the court, Baldovino said they will be facing 12 to 14 years imprisonment.
Baldovino, however, admitted that they have no sufficient evidence yet to include in the complaints the alleged financier of Vikings Peryahan ng Bayan, whom he did not name.
NBI investigations showed that the illegal gambling outfit bet solicitors reportedly collect bets for Small Town Lottery (STL)-like number combinations from the public.
Baldovino said that only Super Lucky Beagler Inc. is authorized by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office to operate STL in Negros Occidental.
NBI operatives have also arrested a bet solicitor in Barangay 31, Bacolod City on August 13 for using a fake STL identification card.
Baldovino identified the arrested suspect as Gilberto Onde.
Under the provisions of RA 9287, Baldovino said anyone involved in the operations of illegal STL, including arrested bettors, who are convicted of such an offense, will be imprisoned from 30 to 90 days.
The staff, owner of the lot or building may face six to eight years of imprisonment; eight to 10 years for bet solicitors; 10 to 12 years for coordinator and supervisor; 12 to 14 years for the maintainer, manager and operator; 14 years to 16 years to financier; 16 to 20 years to protectors, as well perpetual disqualification of holding public office for those connected to the government, he added.