CAMP RAFAEL C. RODRIGUEZ, Butuan City – The Police Regional Office-13 reported the arrest of 35 individuals for illegal gambling in Caraga over the weekend.

PRO-13 Director Police Brig. Gen. Kirby John B. Kraft said that based on records of the PRO-13 Regional Operations Division from September 6 to 12, suspects were engaged in illegal cockfighting, illegal number games, and card games.

The Surigao del Norte Police Provincial Office (PPO) arrested 16, followed by the Agusan del Norte PPO with seven, Surigao del Sur PPO, six; and Butuan City Police Office and Agusan del Sur three each.

Confiscated from the suspects were P11,070 in bet money and illegal gambling paraphernalia.

Kraft said suspects were charged for violating Republic Act No. 9287, an act increasing penalties for illegal number games, and Presidential Decree No. 1602 which prescribes stiffer penalties for illegal gambling.

“PNP-Caraga will not tolerate any illegal gambling activity in the region,” he said. “I urge the people to be vigilant and report immediately to the nearest police station to help us root out these illicit operations.”