2 ‘bookies’ bet collectors nabbed in Quezon

LUCENA CITY – Two suspected bet collectors of illegal Small Town Lottery (STL) or “bookies” were arrested in a police operation in Tayabas City in Quezon province on Sunday, police said.

Anti-illegal gambling operatives collared Hector Navarra and Reynaldo Jasmin after the two accepted money bets from an undercover police officer who acted as a bettor in Barangay Isabang around 5:30 p.m., Colonel Audie Madrideo, Quezon police director, said in a report.

Seized from the suspects were STL bet collection forms, paraphernalia, and money bets in different denominations.

Police said the suspects failed to produce legitimate identification cards issued by Pirouette Gaming Corp., the licensed STL operator in the province.

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).

Earlier in the day, Pirouette suspended two consecutive lottery draws due to town fiesta celebration.

Tayabas police already arrested at least seven suspected “bookies” bet collectors since the legal STL resumed operation on Sept. 1 after President Duterte lifted its suspension.

“Bookies” are illegal STL operations that maintain unauthorized betting stations in remote areas to avoid detection by authorities. /je