| | |  | Last Updated: Wednesday, February 27, 2008 |  | | | Gambling Crack Down in Philippines
- Wednesday, 12 Apr 2006
Crackdown of illegal gambling syndicates in Philippines has lead to the arrest of 71 gambling bettors, collectors and employees. Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation launched raids against illegal gambling operators on Friday in Manila. The raid lead to the arrest of 71 gambling collectors, bettors and employees in the illegal operation facilities. The government decided to crack down on illegal gambling after it was reported that it is loosing P1.3 billion in revenues every year due to the illegal gambling operations.
The two head gambling financiers, Venancio Sy alias "Apeng Sy" and Ferdie Sy, eluded arrest despite the attempts by law enforcement agents to capture them as well. The combined raids performed by joint teams of Special Task Force, National Capital Region and Special Action Unit of the NBI lead to the arrest of 41 collectors and employees of the gambling syndicates and 30 bettors. The two are said to be responsible for heading and backing most of the city’s illegal gambling institutions.
The NBI raids were conducted after leaders in the horse racing and gambling industry sought the help of the NBI to eliminate illegal gambling operations plaguing the industry. Armed with search warrants the NBI agents raided gambling venues on Tomas Mapua Street, Sta. Cruz; Malate and Ermita, all in Manila. The NBI was happy with the amount of people arrested and said that they will be charged with violation of Republic Act 9287 in relation to Presidential Decree 1602 (Illegal Gambling Law). | |
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