2 suspected ‘bookies’ nabbed in Quezon

LUCENA CITY – Two suspected bet collectors of an illegal operation of government-run Small Town Lottery (STL) or “bookies,” were arrested in police operations in Lopez and Tagkawayan towns on Saturday, police said.

Vincent Tan, 25, was nabbed while collecting money bets in Barangay (village) Bagacay, Lopez around 11:20 a.m.

A report said Tan pointed to one Jocelyn Macabuhay, resident of Barangay Pinagbayanan in nearby Calauag town, as his financier. Macabuhay remained at large.

In Tagkawayan, anti-illegal gambling operatives collared Emelita Colasito who was caught while collecting money bets in Barangay Cabugwang around 2:15 p.m.

Authorities confiscated several “lastillas” or bet collection lists and bet money in different denominations from the suspects.

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).

“Bookies” are illegal STL operations that maintain unauthorized betting stations in remote areas to avoid detection by authorities. The bookies no longer conduct draws but are just adopting the winning combination of the legal STL. /je