Seven nabbed in Estancia illegal gambling operations

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Seven persons were arrested in separate anti-illegal gambling operations in Estancia, Iloilo afternoon of July 4, 2021.

The first operation targeted persons involved in an illegal cockfighting activity at Barangay Lumbia around 1:30 p.m. Sunday.

Almost three hours later, the Estancia police stormed a pool game in Villa Reyes St., Poblacion Zone 1.

The team led by Major Aldren Lamera arrested Edelberto Barrios, 43; Belly Magbanua; and Ereneo Bentolan, 57, all residents of Lumbia village.

They were caught engaging in an illegal cockfight and yielded two dead fighting cocks with gaff and P410 bet money.

Those caught playing pool were identified as Reylan Vergara, 28, and Roberto Martinez, 21, both residents of Villa Reyes St., Poblacion Zone 1, Estancia; Ramie Alameda, 19, of Barangay Daan Banwa, Estancia; and Hector Buaron, 20, of Barangay Tacbuyan Estancia.

Recovered from the scene were a pool table, two cue sticks, two pool chips, playing cards, and P20 bills.

All suspects are detained at the Estancia Police Station pending the filing of charges against them.

The three cockfight enthusiasts will be charged for violation of Presidential Decree 449 (Cockfighting Law of 1974) while the pool players would be charged for breach of Presidential Decree 1602 (Providing Stiffer Penalties on Illegal Gambling).