PRO8 to use full force of the law vs. “Swertres” - Soria

By RPCRD, Police Regional Office 8
October 11, 2012

CAMP SEC. RUPERTO K. KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte  –  Echoing the instruction and guidance of DILG Secretary Mar Roxas during his first command conference with top officials of the Philippine National Police last Monday to stamp out all forms of illegal gambling activities, Police Regional Office 8 Director Police Chief Superintendent Elmer Ragadio Soria vowed to unleash the full might of the law against operators and protectors of the illegal numbers’ game called “swertres.”

“Field commanders have been relentless in their operations based on constant reminders from this office to step up campaign against swertres and all forms of illegal gambling activities in their areas of jurisdiction,” Soria said even as he reminded all provincial and city directors to stop the resurgence of swertres amidst reports that local gambling operators have started their illegal numbers game operations again.

The Police Regional Director, however disclosed, that same is not a pressing issue considering that PRO-8 has sustained its campaign against all types of illegal gambling operations.

For the period January 1 to date, PRO8 has conducted 580 anti-illegal gambling operations on that resulted in the apprehension of 645 persons, confiscation of P154,516.25 worth of bet money and filing a total of 415 cases in court.

He added that this accomplishment means there has been no let up in making Eastern Visayas gambling-free as he announced the arrests of 6 more suspects in separate anti-gambling operations conducted by his men in different parts of the region.

On October 8, joint elements of Regional Special Operations 8 (RSOG8) led by SPO4 Ananias Monteroso under the direct supervision of Police Senior Inspector Dinvir L Revita, Chief RSOG8, together with the members of Regional Public Safety Battalion 8 and elements of Carigara Police Station conducted operation against illegal gambling at Brgy. San Mateo, Carigara, Leyte that resulted to the apprehension of Jerome Marquez, 20, a resident of Brgy. San Quintin, Carigara, Leyte who was caught on the act engaging in illegal gambling activities locally known as “swertres”.

Confiscated from his possession and control were one unit bicycle, one unit Nokia cellphone model 1202-2, one piece tip dated October 8, 2012, 8 sheets of yellow pad paper with number combinations and bet money amounting to P1930.00.

At Brgy. Canlapwas in Catbalogan City, elements of RSOG8 and Catbalogan Police Station led by Police Senior Inspector Alex Cantillep conducted joint operations against illegal gambling which resulted to the arrest of Jasper Dacallos Y Aguilar, 26, single, jobless and a resident of Brgy. Majacob, Tarangnan, Samar while actually engaging in illegal number game activity locally known as “swertres”. Confiscated from his actual possession were one bundle of stubs with different number combinations dated October 7, 2012, one ballpen, and bet money amounting to P71.00.

Meanwhile, at Sitio Kanlong-Kanlong, Brgy. Jubasan, Allen, Northern Samar, elements of Allen Police Station led by Police Senior Inspector Joy Leanza arrested one Cito Dente y Leuterio, legal age and a resident of Brgy. Poblacion, Zone 2, Victoria, Northern Samar while engaged in “swertres”. Confiscated from his possession were one yellow paper, one ballpen and bet money amounting to P127.00..

In Hinunangan, Southern Leyte, along the national highway of Brgy Talisay, elements of Hinunangan Police Station led by Police Senior Inspector Castor Cabilogan, apprehended one Jose Allan Pugoy y Sumalinog, 24, single and a resident of Brgy Ambacon of said town who was caught engaged in transporting ‘swertres” paraphernalia from the different controllers. Confiscated from the his possession and control were 11 tally sheets, one black ballpen and bet money amounting to P450.00 in different denominations.

Also, a text message from an informant received by Police Station 2 of Ormoc City Police Office informing that one Roland Endolos y Cortez, 52, married, farmer and a resident of Brgy Sabang-Bao, Ormoc City was engaged in collecting bets for “swertres” at at said village. Immediately, police team led by Police Senior Inspector Manuelito Wenceslao proceeded to the area and arrested said suspect. Confiscated from the suspect were one ballpen, one tally sheet containing different number combination, one swertres tip dated October 5, 2012 and bet money amounting to P200.00.

At Brgy Laguma, Silago, Southern Leyte, elements of Silago Police Station conducted operation against swertres which resulted to the apprehension of one Ronie Tayum y Saberon, 32, single and a resident of said place who was caught in the act engaging on said illegal gambling activity. Confiscated from his possession were 3 tally sheets, 2 swertres tips and bet money amounting to P170.00.

PCSupt Soria informed that arrested suspects will be facing charges for violations of Presidential Decree 1602 as amended by Republic Act 9287 as he attributed the successful operations to the support of the community and the active participation of the members of the different Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams.