In Negros Occ., seven SAP grantees nabbed for gambling

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Policemen here arrested seven more beneficiaries of the government’s Social Amelioration Program (SAP) for allegedly engaging in illegal gambling in separate operations here and in Negros Occidental on Thursday.

In Bacolod City, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has arrested four individuals after they were caught playing an illegal card game locally known as “Pares-Pares” at Zone II, Purok Pine Tree, Barangay Bata.

According to Police Chief Master Sergeant Ramiro Gocotano, officer-in-charge of CIDG-Bacolod, they received reports from concerned citizens about an alleged gambling area reportedly maintained by a 67-year-old woman.

Two of them were SAP beneficiaries and the other was a beneficiary of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), Gocotano said.

Gocotano said two of the suspects received their SAP allowances the other day.

Police recovered from the suspects two decks of playing cards and P493 cash.

Three SAP beneficiaries and a 4Ps beneficiary were also arrested at Barangay Punta Taytay for allegedly playing illegal card game locally known as “Pusoy Orig.”

Police confiscated from a set of playing cards and P170 cash. All four suspects are detained at Police Station 9.

In Victorias City, two SAP beneficiaries and a 4Ps beneficiary were collared at Barangay 6-A for allegedly playing “Tong-its.”

Police seized from them a wooden table, a set of playing cards, and P250 cash.

The suspects are detained at Victorias City Police Station.