37 held for illegal gambling in Quezon City

MANILA, Philippines — Police apprehended 37 people for violating Quezon City’s ordinance on illegal gambling on Monday.

Brig. Gen. Ronnie Montejo, director of the Quezon City Police District, said 21 of the violators were nabbed in Barangays Escopa and Project 4.

The suspects were caught in the act of playing illegal card games lucky 9, pusoy and tong-its. Police said they seized from the suspects playing cards and P1,422 in bet money.

In Barangay Payatas B, seven other suspects were collared for collecting bets for EZ 2, a form of illegal numbers game. Police said they confiscated P2,630 in cash and gambling paraphernalia.

Nine persons were arrested in other parts of the city for playing cara y cruz, Montejo said.

Members of the Novaliches police station said they confiscated 29 video karera machines in separate operations.

Police intensified the campaign against illegal gambling in compliance with the directive of Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte and Philippine National Police chief Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa, who warned Montejo to shape up or be relieved from his post.

Belmonte on Monday declared an all-out war against all forms of illegal gambling in the city.