SAN JOSE, Antique – The Antique Police Provincial Office (APPO) filed charges against three bet collectors of “Peryahan ng Bayan” apprehended in July.
The bet collectors from the municipalities of Caluya, San Jose and Sibalom were charged with violation of Republic Act 9287 (An Act Increasing the Penalties for Illegal Numbers Games), said Staff Sergeant John Mark Gonzaga, information officer of the APPO.
“Peryahan ng Bayan” is similar to Small Town Lottery with bet collectors going around and winning numbers are drawn. The bet ranges from P5 to P20.
Effective Feb. 6, 2020, Peryahan was suspended until further instruction from the Office of the President, said PCSO general manager Royina Marzan-Garma.
Gonzaga said APPO director Coloel Roy Parena reiterated his order for the 18 municipal police stations in Antique to apprehend those behind illegal gambling.
For her part, Provincial Board member Karmila Rose Dimamay said the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) should take the lead in stopping “Peryahan ng Bayan” since it is under their jurisdiction.
The Provincial Board passed a resolution on April 15, 2021 calling for the APPO and the Criminal Investigation Detection Group to stop the “Peryahan ng Bayan”, yet it has continued.
Dimamay said she had information that the game of chance is already using the online platform to entice more Antiqueños to try their luck. (PNA)
