Quezon police raids net 24 gamblers, 2 drug suspects

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LUCENA CITY – Police in Quezon province arrested two drug suspects and 24 alleged illegal gamblers in a “one-time-big-time” operation on Saturday, authorities said Sunday.

Senior Supt. Rhoderick Armamento, Quezon police provincial director, identified eight of those arrested for illegal gambling as Manuel Erilla, Joselito Villanueva, Charlito Modronero, Felix Quinto, Eulalio Eclarin, Raul Cabriga, Jessica Rayo and Christian Retardo. They were collared in a series of raids in alleged gambling dens in Barangays 6, Dalahican and Domoit in Lucena City.

The raiders caught the suspects playing “tong-its,” a card game classified as illegal under Presidential Decree 1602. Police seized playing cards, money bets and assorted gambling paraphernalia.

In one gambling den, police also arrested Ronniel Coro who was found carrying a gram of dried marijuana leaves.

In Sariaya town, 16 suspected illegal gamblers were  arrested in alleged gambling dens in Barangays Poblacion 4, Concepcion Palasan and Sampaloc 2 at about 2:30 p.m. The suspects were caught playing “video karera,” “tong-its” and mahjong.

In Lopez town, operatives armed with an arrest warrant nabbed Rodelo Caballas in Barangay Manguisian around 1 p.m. Armamento said Caballas had long been wanted for drug trafficking in Lopez and neighboring towns. No bail was recommended for his temporary release.

Police manning checkpoints in Lucena, Lopez and Sariaya also seized 31 unregistered motorcycles.

The one-time-big-time operation consists of simultaneous actions against wanted persons and all forms of criminal activities as part of police “Oplan Lambat-Sibat” campaign.  CBB/rga