3 illegal STL bet collectors nabbed in Quezon

LUCENA CITY –– At least three suspected bet collectors of an illegal operation of Small Town Lottery (STL) or “bookies,” were arrested in police operations in Lucena City and Lopez town in Quezon province on Wednesday, police said Thursday.

Anti-illegal gambling operatives arrested Bernadette Dalisay while collecting bets in Barangay Market View in Lucena City around 9:30 a.m.

In Lopez, police separately arrested Arvin Moises Giducos and Ernesto Oprecio while illegally collecting STL bets in Barangay Gomez in the afternoon.

Seized from the suspects were STL bet collection forms, paraphernalia, and money bets.

Police said the suspects failed to produce legitimate identification cards issued by Pirouette Gaming Corp., the licensed STL operator in the province.

The suspects were charged with violation of Republic Act 9287 (An Act Increasing The Penalties for Illegal Numbers Game, Amending Certain Provision of Presidential Act 1602 and for Other Purposes).

The bookies no longer conduct draws but are just adopting the winning combination of the legal STL.

President Duterte suspended the STL operation late July and lifted the ban on Aug. 22. During the suspension period, illegal gambling operators took over and conducted illegal lottery draws.

On Sept. 1, STL operation resumed in the province. /lzb