18 aid beneficiaries nabbed for gambling

CEBU, Philippines — A total of 18 government financial assistance beneficiaries were arrested by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-7 of Negros Oriental and Metro Cebu field units for illegal gambling reportedly using the amount they just received.

Police Major Ronald Allan Tolosa, Deputy Regional Chief of CIDG-7, said that seven were nabbed from Negros Oriental, three from the cities of Naga and Talisay, two from Mandaue City, and three from Lapu-Lapu City.

The arrested suspects from Mandaue were identified as Junetry Manlisic and Arnold Ruta; Guyren Constantino, Carlito Jayme and Henry Sismar from Talisay; while Flavio Dimson Jr, Ricky Bolhano, Danilo Ogas, Johnny Malig-on, Novenario Tatoy, Ron Electona and Leozalde Diaz were arrested in Negros Oriental.

Those arrested from Naga were identified as Eper Avila, Ramonito Reyes and Marina Dejito; while Rodrigo Berame and Carmelita Amoin were arrested in Lapu-Lapu City.

The CIDG-7 operatives received information that despite the implementation of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), the suspects were caught playing card games, prompting them to conduct the operation.

However, when the authorities arrived, most of them scampered away to different directions.

Tolosa added that most of the arrested suspects were beneficiaries of the unconditional cash transfer (UCT) and special amelioration program (SAP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Those cash aids were given by the government to indigents amid pandemic crisis.

Tolosa expressed disappointment upon finding out that these aids were used for gambling, instead of purchasing essential needs.

“Mao bitaw to nga ang atong presidente naghatag og instruction sa kapulisan mag-conduct gyud og operation against illegal gambling gumikan kay kining kwarta nga ayuda gikan sa gobyerno, supposed to be maadto sa pagkaon, nahitabo karon pagkadawat nila ani ila na nuon gigamit sa pag sugal-sugal,” Tolosa said.  GAN (FREEMAN)