18 SAP, 4Ps beneficiaries nabbed for illegal cockfighting, gambling,

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – A total of 18 beneficiaries of the national government’s Social Amelioration Program (SAP) and Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) were arrested here and in Negros Occidental from April 24 to 25, for allegedly engaging in illegal activities, despite warnings from law enforcers.

Qualified SAP beneficiaries can receive P6,000 each for two months from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) due to the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

In Pontevedra town, five individuals, including two SAP beneficiaries, were arrested at Barangay General Malvar on April 25, for allegedly engaging in illegal cockfighting.

Police seized four fighting cocks, and P1,170 bet money.

In Sipalay City, three persons, including a SAP beneficiary, and two 4Ps beneficiaries were arrested at Barangay Nauhang last Saturday, for allegedly playing a card game locally known as “Tong-its.”

Authorities seized from them a set of playing cards, table, cloth, and P300 bet money.

In Talisay City, four SAP beneficiaries were arrested at Barangay Bubog on the same day, after they were caught allegedly playing “Pusoy.” Confiscated from them were a set of playing cards, gambling paraphernalia, and P794 bet money.

In Murcia town, four persons, including one SAP beneficiary were collared for the same violation at Barangay Cansilayan that day. Authorities recovered from them a set of playing cards, and P100 bet money.

In Bacolod City, eight persons, including five SAP beneficiaries, and three 4Ps beneficiaries were apprehended by personnel of Police Station 4 at Barangay Estefania here on April 24, for allegedly playing Tong-its and Pusoy, with the seizure of two sets of playing cards, and P1,585 bet money.