NBI Arrested more than Hundred's Peryahan Workers in P’sinan

 

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

DAGUPAN CITY –  The simultaneous raids recently by operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation from Manila in the areas of an illegal number’s betting game jueteng operator in Pangasinan could be a blow to its beneficiaries.

More than a hundred workers of the Peryahan ng Bayan (PnB) in 13 towns and cities of the province have been apprehended last Friday by the NBI.

According to new franchisee Grand 88 Gaming Corporation's Executive Elvin Cruz, the workers that included the cobradores (collectors) of the Global Mobile Online Corporation (GMOC) - PnB have been busted inflagrante dilecto in a massive raid in the towns of Alcala, Bautista, Malasiqui, San Fabian (two locations), San Manuel, Mangatarem, Villasis, Manaoag, Mangaldan, and other towns and cities of Dagupan and San Carlos.

ILLEGAL. Philippines Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) closes an outlet of the Peryahan ng Bayan for operating illegally in Bacolod City. (Photo credit: Watchmen)

“Iyong pagiging illegal ng Peryahan ay dahil sa kautusan ng ating Presidente na suspended sila. Kung maalaala ninyo po na ating mahal na Presidente ay nag issue ng suspension order sa lahat ng mga palaro sa PCSO noong July 2019. Na reinstate na ho ang Lotto, Keno, at STL pero ang Peryahan ng Bayan hanggang ngayon po considered suspended. So iyon ho ang pinagmulan ng pagiging illegal ng operation ng Peryahan ng Bayan at hindi na ho iyon na po puwedeng gamitin ang tinatawag na status quo ante order bilang karapatan nila bilang autoridad nila na magpatuloy,” Lawyer Cruz explained to a radio interview.

Pasig City Regional Trial Court- Branch 161 Judge Nicanor A. Manalo, Jr. recalled in January 24, 2020 his Writ of Execution favoring GMOC – PnB after receiving a copy of the suspension order by President Rodrigo Duterte through Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea of the operation of the betting game's outfit.

The arrested individuals, according to Cruz, have been turned over by the NBI to the local police precincts for processing and detention.

He said they have been charged with the illegal gambling act as provided by Republic Act No. 9287.

It has various penalties of imprisonment from eight years and one day to ten years if such person acts as a collector or agent to sixteen years and one day to twenty years if such person acts as protector or coddler.

The March 11 seizures of the paraphernalia and arrest of the personnel of PnB came from the February 26, 2022 letter of Philippine Charity Sweepstake Office (PCSO) Vice Chairperson and General Manager Royina Marzan Garma to  chief PNP Director General Dionardo Bernardo Carlos, NBI Director Eric B. Distor, NBI  Deputy Director Lawyer Antonio Pagatpat Acting Director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Police Brig. Gen. Elisio DC Cruz, Pangasinan Governor Amado Espino, III, and Pangasinan Police Provincial Director Richmond L. Tadina that Peryahan ng Bayan has not been given the authority to operate or resume operation anywhere in the country including the province of Pangasinan pursuant to this memorandum issued by Executive Secretary Medialdea.

“In view of this, respectfully request for the conduct of intensive law enforcement operation against all illegal number games in the whole province of Pangasinan,” she exhorted.

Attorney Cruz lauded the NBI for their action but assailed the officers of the Philippine National Police of their inaction.

“Ang ating local na mga law enforcement agencies ang ating provincial office ng Philippine National Police despite our coordination with them mukhang ayaw. Wala ng kilos mula ho ng February 28 na sulat ni GM”.

The lawyer said it is useless to patronize PnB because it did not pay taxes to the national and local governments.

GM Garma said that the government losses money from it which did not benefit the medical programs of the country including the share of the local government units and the PNP.

The Executive of Grand 88 would not answer the query of Bombo Radyo Reporter who was behind the operation for several years of PnB in the gargantuan province.

“Wala pang ebidensiya ay hirap on my part na sabihin kung sino ito. Siguro sa mga darating na araw kung nakakuha tayo ng mas matibay pa na ebidensiya baka sakali puwede natin masabi. Hindi pa natin masabi kung sino ang pinaka ulo nito”.

Cruz warned operators of illegal gambling in the forty- four towns and four cities’ province that there would be more raids from the law enforcers if they will continue their nefarious activities.

Grand 88 has been given an authority to operate by the PCSO from February 28, 2022 to February 27, 2023.

The franchise of the small town lottery does not need permits from the LGU pursuant to the PCSO Charter, Bureau of Internal Revenue's rulings, and Supreme Court’s resolutions.

Reporters have been invited to witness its draw in March 3, 2022 by the public relation officer of Bayambang Mayor Cezar T. Quiambao held in Brgy. Libsong in Lingayen, Pangasinan.

READ MY OTHER BLOG:

Peryahan ng Bayan No Authority to Operate – Speed Game, Inc.