NBI arrests 170 jueteng operators, financiers in Pangasinan

ROSALES, Pangasinan, Philippines — Up to 170 people tagged in illegal jueteng operations were rounded up in separate raids conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Pangasinan on Monday.

The coordinated raids targeted an organized illegal gambling network believed to have been operating in the province for quite some time.

In Rosales, up to 40 suspects were held, including a former councilor tagged as a key figure in the jueteng operations. 

The NBI team led by Elbert Maliwanag said the raids were based on a warrant for violation of Presidential Decree 1602 in relation to Republic Act 9287.

Another 25 suspects were arrested in Manaoag and 34 in Calasiao.

In San Carlos City, 49 people including jueteng financiers and collectors were arrested while 31 others were taken to the police  station for questioning in Urdaneta City.

The NBI said the raids were a major blow to the activities of a well-organized gambling network that operates across several towns in Pangasinan.