NBI files illegal gambling raps vs three village chiefs

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – National Bureau of Investigation Bacolod chief Renoir Baldivino on Wednesday said they filed criminal charges for illegal gambling against three village chiefs (barangay captains) – one from Bacolod City and two based in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental.

In a press conference, Baldivino identified the barangay captains as Noli Villarosa of Barangay Tangub, Bacolod City, and Franz Seguiro and Joel Alibango of Barangay 6 and 5, respectively, of Kabankalan City in southern Negros.

Villarosa was accused of being the financier of the illegal Small Town Lottery Operation in Kabankalan City while the other two allegedly acted as protectors.

Aside from the three, Baldivino said a certain “Ma’am” is believed to be the manager.

He added that the case against the four was filed Monday in Kabankalan City.

Baldivino said the charges were based on testimonies of bet solicitors (koridor).

Seguiro and Alibango, who received NBI subpoenas, denied any involvement in illegal gambling activities.

Despite the denials, Baldovino said they are still gathering additional evidence against them.

NBI investigation indicated that the two barangay officials, in the presence of two illegal gambling operators, met with bet solicitors who have been allowed to operate in their respective barangays.

Rumors are rife in Kabankalan City that the authority of Super Lucky Beagler Inc. (SLBI) to operate the Small Town Lottery (STL), had already expired.

The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, through its Negros Occidental branch manager Jose Manuel Villagracia, stressed in his letter to Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, that SLBI is the sole Authorized STL Agent Corporation in Negros Occidental and Bacolod City.

“Please be advised that STL operations in the province of Negros Occidental, other than that of SLBI, are illegal, such as the ‘New STL’,” Villagracia pointed out.

Villarosa also denied the charges saying he has no financial capacity to mount gambling operations.

He said he will face the charges in court.