Philippine police arrest 15 in La Union gambling raids
The suspects face allegations under Presidential Decree 1602, which prescribes penalties for illegal gambling in the Philippines.
The Philippines.- Philippine authorities have arrested 15 people across three municipalities in La Union over alleged illegal gambling involving bingo, mahjong and tong-it. The arrests followed separate operations in Tubao, Agoo and Santo Tomas on October 20, during which police seized PHP2,711 (US$46) in cash bets.
Tubao accounted for the largest number of arrests, with eight people aged between 29 and 47 allegedly caught playing bingo. The operation, conducted by the Tubao Municipal Police Station between 2.30pm and 3.10pm, resulted in the seizure of PHP1,300 (US$22) in cash bets and gambling paraphernalia. Police identified all eight as unemployed and took them to the Tubao Rural Health Unit for medical examinations.
In Agoo, police arrested four men aged 52, 62, 63 and 74 over alleged participation in mahjong. Personnel from the Agoo Municipal Police Station conducted the operation between 4.40pm and 5.20pm, seizing PHP434 (US$7) in cash bets and a set of mahjong tiles. All four men were residents of Agoo and were placed in police custody.
A third operation in Santo Tomas resulted in the arrest of three women aged 27, 30 and 36 who were allegedly playing tong-it, a popular Filipino card game. The operation was carried out by personnel from the Pugo Municipal Police Station between 3.30pm and 3.50pm. Officers recovered PHP977 (US$17) in cash bets and a set of plastic playing cards.
The 15 suspects face allegations under Presidential Decree 1602, which prescribes penalties for illegal gambling in the Philippines. However, their alleged involvement in the games has not been established in court.
