Caloocan resto-bar owner, 8 others held for quarantine violation, illegal gambling

MANILA, Philippines — A restaurant bar manager and eight others were arrested for supposed illegal gambling and violation of quarantine protocols inside an establishment in Caloocan City on Wednesday night, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said Thursday.

A report from CIDG in Northern Metro Manila identified the suspects as Maricel Elijedo, 50, owner of the resto-bar; Christopher Ramos, 43; Vicson Lamadrid, 45; Reinerio Kuizon, 35; Arman Mariano, 50; Delfin Pasia, 37; Arnold Palicpic, 63; Mario Ramos, 57; and Danilo Paulino, 57.

CIDG Northern Manila and Caloocan police arrested the suspects after authorities received a letter of complaint addressed to Karlo Nograles, co-chair of Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Disease, regarding the gambling activities at a resto-bar in Barangay 106.

Recovered from the operation were three billiard sticks, billiard balls, chalk, and P9,640 betting money.

The suspects were brought to the CIDG Northern Manila office for detention. Police said they would face cases for violation of Presidential Decree 1602, which imposes stiffer penalties on illegal gambling; the Caloocan City Ordinance No. 0863 series 2020 and Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act, which stipulate penalties for defying physical distancing and quarantine protocols.

Last Sunday, more than 100 people were also apprehended in Makati for reported violation of social distancing after drinking and dining at a resto-bar there. [ac]