IPPO keeps eye on bookies operation in Iloilo

By Jennifer P. Rendon

The Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) is keeping an eye on personalities who might try to dip their hands in bookies or illegal gambling operations.

But Colonel Gilbert Gorero, Iloilo police chief, was quick to point out that illegal gambling activities, particularly numbers games, are far from being rampant in the province.

“That’s why, we’re trying to run after them even before they could even establish their ground,” Gorero said.

IPPO only received reports of bookies operation in Passi City.

Gorero said they subsequently arrested several individuals.

On September 1, another bet collector for a Small Town Lottery (STL) bookies operation was arrested in Calinog, Iloilo.

Jimmy Beria, 47, was nabbed at Barangay Dalid, where he also lives.

Members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-Iloilo Provincial Field Unit, the Calinog Police Station, the Iloilo Police Provincial Office-Provincial Intelligence Branch (IPPO-PIB), and the Regional Intelligence Division 6 (RID-6) collared Beria after he was caught in the act of soliciting/collecting money from bettors of STL bookies,

Confiscated from him were a bundle of cotejo or bet list, P330 cash bets, a carbon paper, and a ballpen.

Berja failed to present pertinent documents authorizing him to engage in such activity.

Gorero said that the illegal operation based their winning combination numbers from the draw of 7 Aces Games and Amusement Corp., the sole Authorized Agent Corporation (AAC) operating in Iloilo province.

Earlier, the 7 Aces Games and Amusement Corporation launched a campaign against illegal STL activities.

In a written announcement, 7 Aces said that it will give cash rewards to any person that can provide information on illegal games like “bookies” and others.

The rewards are as follows:

* Kabo Mayor – P10,000

* Maintainer – P20,000

* Safe house or Bolahan – P50,000

* Financier/bangkero/kapitalista- P100,000