2 illegal bet collectors of STL nabbed in Quezon

LUCENA CITY, Philippines—Two suspected bet collectors of an illegal operation of small town lottery (STL), called “bookies,” were arrested in police operations in Candelaria town in Quezon province on Saturday night, police said Sunday.

Senior Supt. Rhoderick Armamento, Quezon police director, said anti-illegal gambling operatives caught Romeo Pelaez, 52, while collecting STL bets in Barangay (village) Masin Sur around 10:30 p.m.

When frisked, Pelaez also allegedly yielded one small plastic sachet of “shabu” (methamphetamine hydrochloride) worth P296 in his pocket.

Meanwhile, another suspected “bookies” collector, Rolando Arellano, 55, was nabbed while collecting lottery bets in Barangay Pahinga Norte.

Seized from the suspects were STL bet collection forms and money bets.

Police said the arrested suspects failed to produce legitimate identification cards issued by Pirouette Gaming Corp., the licensed STL operator in the province, which showed they were engaged in illegal operation of state-sanctioned lottery.

The suspects were charged with violation of Republic Act 9287 (An Act Increasing the Penalties for Illegal Numbers Game, Amending Certain Provision of Presidential Act 1602 and for Other Purposes). Pelaez was also charged with possession of illegal drugs. /ra/rga