IN a bid to assert the seriousness of the Cebu Provincial Police Office on its anti-illegal gambling campaign, a joint police operation in Talisay City resulted to the arrest of 11 persons on Saturday afternoon.
Police operatives from the Regional Special Operations Group (RSOG) -7, Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB) and Talisay City Police Office apprehended 11 men caught playing “hantak” or toss coin in Barangay Tabunok past 4 p.m.
Chief Insp. Emmanuel Gomez, deputy regional chief of RSOG-7, said his office received several complaints regarding illegal gambling inside a cockpit arena in Barangay Tabunok.
Gomez said he raised the complaints to the Police Regional Office (PRO) 7.
Chief Supt. Jose Mario Espino, PRO-7 director, directed the RSOG to take immediate action against illegal gambling in Talisay City.
Abelina Oliveros, Emilio Cabansag, Donatelo Cañada, Edwin Bardilas, Rhonel Carin, Romolo Gabana, Victorino Sanchez, Adrian Paras, Gideo Caño, Rosendo Reyes and Arquimide Paran were apprehended during the joint operation.
Police confiscated six folding tables, one ring, one marble stone and three coins. A cash amounting to P4,800 believed to be proceeds of the illegal game was also seized from the 11 suspects.
The suspects are now facing cases for violations of the Anti Gambling Act.
Gomez added the police operations against illegal gambling have been strengthened under the directives of Philippine National Police Director General Ronald dela Rosa.
Dela Rosa visited the PRO-7 headquarters last month.
According to Gomez, the director general instructed police in the region to step up its battle not just against illegal drugs but on illegal gambling as well.
Other police offices in Cebu province have also been ordered to toughen its fight on gambling.
Dozens of people are arrested weekly for illegal gambling in CPPO’s Oplan Pokemon.