CEBU, Philippines - As far as the police are concerned, last Monday’s anti-illegal gambling operation against the son of Suba, Cebu City Barangay Captain Rogelio Resurreccion was according to the law and not politically-motivated.
City Intelligence Branch (CIB) Chief Romeo Santander made the statement after hearing reports that the Resurreccion believed his son’s arrest was masterminded by his rivals in politics.
“I have to respect the opinion of Barangay Captain Resurreccion, but if we’re going to backtrack, the previous operations that we’ve conducted before since January, before pa sa May elections, nagsige na baya ang among (we have consistently launched) operations against illegal gambling. It so happened lang na ang iyang anak maoy (that his son was the) subject sa bag-ohay lang na (of the recent) operation na atong gi-conduct,†Santander said.
“Walay halong pulitika. We’re just doing our job, nothing personal in it. Wa mi personal grudge against Kapitan Resurreccion,†he added.
Niño Resurreccion, meanwhile, walked free yesterday after posting the recommended bail at the Palace of Justice for the offense of engaging in an illegal numbers game.
CIB operatives led by Santander arrested the younger Resurreccion Monday evening during a buy-bust operation in their residence in Suba.
During the inquest proceeding, Niño opted not to submit a counter-affidavit and instead manifested his intent to face the criminal complaint against him in court.
The handling prosecutor then elevated the case to the court, which set a P12,000 bail for Niño’s temporary liberty.
During the operation, the police seized assorted tally sheets, tip sheets, a calculator and P43,000 cash believed to be proceeds from masiao operations.
Niño’s arrest came after the police verified reports on rampant illegal numbers game activities in Suba.
Niño, 30, is said to be a masiao “general coordinator.†He was handcuffed after a poseur buyer managed to buy from him five number combinations worth P50.
Santander said they have previously received intelligence information on Niño’s illegal gambling activities but it was only recently that they have confirmed the report after weeks of surveillance.
“Karon ra man gud nato (It is only now that we have) na-zero(ed) in ang (on the) target based sa info nga gihatag ug nakakuha na mi og pieces of evidence,†he said.
The CIB chief said that as law enforcers, they were just abiding by their sworn duties and responsibilities and were just following orders from their superiors when they pounced on Niño.—(FREEMAN)