Cops nab 5 in Makati for illegal ‘loteng’ game

MANILA, Philippines — Members of the Makati City police arrested five on Tuesday night for allegedly operating the illegal numbers game of  “loteng.”

A report from the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), identified the suspects as Arnel Gutierrez, 64; Herminio Vasquez, 74; Erika Abenio, 24; Jerome Romasanta, 30; and Rodel Gelig, 35.

The five were arrested after members of the NCRPO’s Regional Special Operations Unit (RSOU) received confidential information that there is a “loteng” operation at Progreso Street in Barangay Guadalupe Viejo.

RSOU Agents then went to the area and found Vasquez with bettors in a narrow alley in front of a house.

A police officer then posed as a bettor and gave Vasquez P100 in bet money.

Vasquez was arrested after receiving the bet from the undercover police officer.

Other police officers then moved to arrest the four other suspects inside the house.

Seized were P1,490 worth of gambling money and “loteng” paraphernalia.

Police said two other gambling operators identified as Olan Santos and Toto Lacson managed to elude arrest.

The suspects were brought to the RSOU office for investigation and the filing of charges, police said. /muf