5 suspected STL ‘bookies’ bet collectors nabbed in Quezon

LUCENA CITY –– At least five suspected bet collectors for the illegal operation of Small Town Lottery (STL) called “bookies” were arrested in police operations in Tayabas City and Tiaong town in Quezon province on Thursday, police said.

Anti-illegal gambling operatives arrested Raymond Carlos, John Alfred Boongaling, Hirminigildo Pantoja, and Gelard Bustillo while collecting and accounting money bets inside a parked passenger jeepney in Barangay Lusacan in Tiaong around 9:40 p.m., said a report from Colonel Audie Madrideo, chief of the Quezon police.

Seized from the suspects, who are all residents of Barangay Pahinga Sur in nearby Candelaria town, were STL “lastillas” or bet collection forms, paraphernalia, and money bets of different denominations.

Police also confiscated the passenger jeepney that was found without certification of registration and official receipt believed being used by the suspects in their mobile illegal gambling activity.

In Tayabas City, policemen also arrested Jordan Banaag while gathering money bets in Barangay Opias around 7:40 p.m.

Police said the five suspects failed to produce legitimate identification cards issued by Pirouette Gaming Corp., the licensed STL operator in the province, which showed they were engaged in the illegal operation of the state-sanctioned lottery./lzb