5 suspected illegal STL bet collectors fall in Quezon

LUCENA CITY –– Police arrested five suspected bet collectors of illegal Small Town Lottery (STL) called “bookies” in their continuous operation against unlawful gambling in Quezon province, a police report said.

Anti-illegal gambling operatives collared Aimee Olaes, Shirley Villaruel and Cecille Baroy while gathering cash bets in Barangay Dalahican here around 9:30 p.m.

In Tayabas City, police also arrested Jonalyn Tumbaga and Jenielyn Espiritu as they collected bets in Barangay Wakas around 5:30 p.m.

The suspects failed to produce the legitimate identification cards authorized by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, which showed that the bet collectors were engaged in “bookies” operation.

The authorities confiscated several bet collection lists and bet money of different denominations from the suspects.

The suspects were charged with a violation of the Republic Act 9287 on illegal gambling./lzb