29 held for illegal gambling in Tarlac

MABALACAT CITY, Pampanga––Police arrested 29 people allegedly engaged in illegal gambling during three separate operations in Gerona town in Tarlac province, authorities said Thursday, Sept. 23.

Col. Renante Cabico, Tarlac police director, said one of the operations in Tagumbao village resulted in the arrest of 13 individuals caught playing mahjong, “cuajo,” and “pusoy dos” card games around 3 p.m. on Tuesday.

On the same day, the police team proceeded to Ayson village and arrested nine more people allegedly found playing “tong-its,” another kind of card game. Among those arrested were two village officials.

The police team then proceeded to Poblacion 1 village and arrested seven other people playing “tong-its” and “pusoy dos.”

The police confiscated a set of mahjong tiles, several decks of Spanish and American playing cards, and bet money amounting to P5,330.

The arrested suspect will be charged with violation of the anti-gambling law. The two village council members are facing additional charges for violating the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.

Cabico said the Tarlac police had been conducting anti-illegal gambling operations to minimize COVID-19 infections in the province. INQ

lzb