‘Peryahan’ bet collector nabbed

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A 29-year-old man allegedly caught in the act of collecting bets for Peryahan Games was arrested afternoon of August 4, 2021 in Sibalom, Antique.

Jomarie Pedrina was collared while accepting bets at District III, Sibalom.

Members of the Sibalom Police Station, together with the Antique Police Provincial Office-Provincial Intelligence Unit (APPO-PIU), conducted an intelligence-driven anti-illegal gambling operation following reports of the operation of Peryahan Games, or Peryahan ng Bayan, in Sibalom town.

Recovered were P180 cash and Peryahan Games throw coins.

Major Rex Farren, Sibalom police chief, said they have been receiving reports that Peryahan Games continue to operate despite the earlier pronouncement that it was illegal

Pedrina apparently wasn’t aware that Peryahan Games in most parts of the country, including in Panay Island, had been declared illegal by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

He showed a court’s temporary restraining order (TRO) favoring Globaltech Mobile Online Corp (GMOC), the Peryahan Games operator in the country.

But Farren said they would enforce the order of the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) declaring the operation of Peryahan Games as illegal.

Farren said they use as basis for their operation the certification and letter issued by the PCSO that Peryahan Games are only allowed in 15 areas but none in Panay Island.

Violators like Pedrina would face charges for violation of Republic Act 9287 (An Act Increasing Penalties for Illegal Numbers Games, amending Certain Provisions of Presidential Decree No. 1602, and for other purposes).