INQUIRER FILES

TAGBILARAN CITY — Thirty-three persons are facing charges after they were apprehended by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for allegedly manning and collecting from illegal small-town lottery (STL) games in Bohol.

Charges were filed against the respondents at different prosecutors’ offices in Bohol on Monday, Nov. 11, for violation of Republic Act No. 9287 otherwise known as an Act Increasing the Penalties for Illegal Gambling in relation to Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Law.

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Arnel Pura, agent in charge of the NBI-Cebu District Office, said the respondents were caught on Nov. 9 and 10 in the towns of Jagna, Ubay, Guindulman, Dauis, Panglao, Talibon, Calape, Getafe, and Tagbilaran City.

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The 33 bet collectors and tellers — three men and 30 women — were arrested after they were caught in the act of personally accepting bets from NBI poseur bettors.

Pura said they also confiscated gambling paraphernalia and proceeds from their alleged illegal gambling operations.

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He said these STL outlets did not have the authorization or license to engage in STL operations in Bohol.

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Pura said they are continuing to monitor illegal gambling activities, including illegal STL in the community.

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READ: 3 alleged bet collectors of illegal STL fall in Quezon

Argy Castañeda, officer-in-charge of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO)-Bohol branch, said they incurred losses because of these illegal STL operations in the province.

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He clarified that Brigantine Management Solutions Inc. is the only registered STL operator authorized by the PCSO. It replaced the Alpha Maximum Gaming Corporation whose license expired last July 19.

Castañeda said that even though some STL outlets are illegal, some people still engage in it.

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