Barking dogs help masiao operator escape

Armed with a search warrant, policemen from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) 7 raided two houses of a suspected big-time masiao financier Friday night in barangay Cansojong, Talisay City.

But before they could swoop down on the house, dogs started to bark and alerted the financier and his companions.

It took authorities about ten minutes to enter the compound’s high fence. When they climbed over the wall and gained entry, no one was around. The place was rented by Alex Ong allegedly for his illegal gambling business.

Police seized tally sheets, ballpens and three fax machines placed on a table. Several names of people believed to be involved in the operation were listed in a notebook along with corresponding amounts.

In another house, only Ong’s daughter and helper were left behind.

Ong is allegedly a big-time masiao financier operating in Talisay City and neighboring towns. Police said his operation reached Toledo City, based on the list in his notebook.

The CIDG-7 team led by Supt. Fermin Armendarez had a search warrant issued by Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Alexander Acosta of Branch 7 in Cebu City.

Three search warrants were issued by the judge. These were for Ong’s house, the place he was renting and for his vehicle./CORRESPONDENT CHITO O. ARAGON