TABUK CITY – Four alleged gamblers, including a retired policeman, were caught during a police raid of a gambling den at Sitio Mapaoay in Barangay Ipil in this city on Sunday afternoon, Sept. 25.

The Tabuk City Police arrested Fernando Ciervo Polig, 74, a retired policeman, along with the other alleged gamblers during the raid.

Polig, a resident of Purok 6 in Barangay Bulanao, was also caught with a gun during the raid.

A caliber .45 pistol, 12 ammunition and holster were recovered from his possession, but police are still investigating if the gun is licensed.

The others who were apprehended in the drop ball were all residents of Tabuk City.

They were identified as Robert Bulayang Labbutan, 47, carpenter and resident of Purok 5, Brgy Balong; Brian Landiza Jamarolin, 34, tricycle driver and resident of Purok 1, Brgy Cudal; and Virgilio Padawig Buslig, 45, and resident of Dagupan Centro.

According to Col. Charles Domallig, provincial director of the Kalinga Provincial Police Office, the police received a report from a concerned citizen that there was a drop ball gambling going on in the area.

The police immediately conducted anti-illegal gambling operations at around 11:50 in the morning.

Operatives confiscated a drop ball table,three pieces of drop balls, one piece of P500 bill, five pieces of P100 bills and 22 pieces of P20 bills.

The suspects and the confiscated pieces of evidence were brought to Tabuk CPS for documentation and proper disposition prior to filing of appropriate charges.