BUTUAN CITY – The Police Regional Office-13 (PRO-13) arrested 454 illegal gamblers in 238 operations in the Caraga region from January to July 4.

“All the arrested suspects are now facing charges at different courts in the region, in relation to the illegal gambling law and local ordinances,” PRO 13-Regional Public Information Office (RPIO) chief Police Major Jennifer S. Ometer said on Friday, July 5.

Ometer said the suspects were apprehended for playing fruit games, video karera, illegal numbers games, illegal cockfighting locally known as tukis-tukis, and illegal card games.

Seized from them were P213,789 in bet money.

One-hundred ninety violators were arrested in Surigao del Sur, followed by the Agusan del Sur Police Provincial Office (PPO) with 102.

On Thursday, July 4, two individuals were nabbed for betting on swertres in the cities of Tandag and Bislig City in Surigao del Sur. Recovered from them were P6,745 in bet money and illegal gambling paraphernalia.

PRO-13 Director Police Brig. Gen. Alan M. Nazarro lauded the efforts of operating units against illegal gambling.

“May these accomplishments bespeak our relentless commitment to eradicate all forms of illegal activities that affect both individual lives of the Caraganon and the economic development of the region,” he said. “I would also like to urge the public to report to the nearest police station any occurrence of illegal activity such as illegal gambling in their locality.”