30 more illegal STL collectors facing charges

More illegal collectors of Small Town Lottery known as “bookies” who were arrested by the police in the cities of Bacolod and Himamaylan since January are now facing charges.

This is the result of the intensified campaign of the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) and the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) against the proliferation of “bookies” or illegal betting using STL as a front.

Bookies use the same drawn numbers of STL. Illegal bet collectors, referred to as “riders,” use ID cards of STL employees and collect bets that are not remitted to the government.

The police file charges for Violation of RA 9287, or an Act Increasing the Penalties for Illegal Numbers Games.

Among those charged before the Bacolod City Prosecutor’s Office were Seth Desuyo Jr, Chery Pink Camarines, Albert Abquilan, Maria Luz Castillo, Rosie Bacaro, Mary Grace Tolentino, Tristan Montepio, Eduardo Dolfo, Ruby Ann Maghanoy, Daniel Dizon, and Patricio Delfin Jr.

A bail bond of P60,000 was recommended by the court for the temporary release of Delfin, who was arrested on April 3 in Himamaylan City.

Delfin’s arrest yielded P3,380 in cash bets, tally sheets of Philippine Charilty Sweepstakes Office, and a dilapidated STL identification card, police records showed.

Bookies is an unauthorized form of STL which poses a direct challenge to the legitimate operations of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). RA 9287, which increases penalties for illegal numbers games in the country, aims to eradicate these activities and punish those involved, including bettors, personnel, and government officials, while also protecting witnesses and incentives for law enforcement officers.

Collectors or agents may be imprisoned for 8 years and 1 day to 10 years, while personnel or staff of illegal numbers game operations face imprisonment for 6 years and up to 8 years, and collectors or agents may be imprisoned for 8 years and day to 10 years.

Police investigations indicated that financiers of illegal gambling are paying for the bail set by the court for the arrested bet solicitors, who upon being released, resume their illegal activities.

Last year, more than 100 “bookies’” were also nabbed by BCPO and NOCPPO operatives in Negros Occidental.* (CGN)