CEBU, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-7 arrested 37 workers of illegal small town lottery (STL) operators, including a 20-year-old pregnant woman, in an anti-illegal gambling operation last week in Lapu-Lapu City.
Last Sunday, police had to bring the pregnant woman to a hospital in Cebu City because she experienced contractions. She gave birth to a baby girl.
She said she earns P370 as an employee of the STL operator.
NBI Assistant Regional Director Dominador Cimafranca yesterday said their operation was in compliance with the directive of NBI Deputy Director Antonio Pagatpat to initiate an operation against Globaltech Mobile Online Corporation which operates Peryahan ng Bayan illegally.
PCSO Department Manager for the Visayas Federico Damole said Globaltech’s operation is illegal because their authorization to operate a STL was already terminated in 2016.
“Globaltech applied for renewal but it was not renewed by the PCSO because they were not able to meet the sales agreement,” he said.
NBI agents led by Executive Officer Arnel Pura arrested 33 workers of Globaltech and four workers of Galaxy, another illegal gambling operator.
The operation was done by virtue of a search warrant issued by Judge Christine Mugaabad of Branch 53.
The operation led to the closure of 35 betting outlets in Lapu-lapu City.
The arrested individuals will be facing complaints for violation of Presidential Decree 1602 or the anti-illegal gambling law in relation to RA 10175 or Cybercrime Law before the Lapu-Lapu City Prosecutor’s Office.
The complaints to be filed against Globaltech and Galaxy will follow once the NBI can get the necessary documents that will prove that they have no authority to operate STL. (FREEMAN)