4 alleged illegal STL bet collectors fall in Quezon

LUCENA CITY — Four suspected bet collectors for an illegal operation of Small Town Lottery (STL) called “bookies” were arrested in police operations in Tayabas City on Friday, police said Saturday.

Anti-illegal gambling operatives arrested Johnny Villamayor, 46, while collecting money bets in Barangay Opias around 6:30 p.m.

Two hours later, Zosimo Caagbay, 67; Gaspar Agudilla Jr., 31; and Chessa Mae Rueca, 22, were caught by the same police team while collecting bets and preparing “lastillas” (list of bets) in Barangay Angeles.

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

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

The bookies no longer conduct draws but are just adopting the winning combination from draws of the legal STL held three times a day in the Pirouette office in downtown Lucena City.

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. Delfin T. Mallari/lzb