BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in this city has filed charges against four suspects in the alleged illegal operation of Small Town Lottery (STL) in Negros Occidental.
NBI-Bacolod chief, Atty. Renoir Baldovino, said they have filed charges against Dinah Surigao and Liezel Trembol, residents of Binalbagan town, and Joevel Espora and Liczl Rentoy of Sipalay City.
“They are classified under the law as maintainers of illegal gambling outfits,” Baldovino said.
The suspects were charged with violation of Republic Act 9287, or the law that amends PD (Presidential Decree) 1602, which imposes a penalty to any person taking part in all forms of illegal gambling.
The NBI-Bacolod chief said the identities of the suspects were revealed by the owners of the houses they rented.
The house owners were subpoenaed by the NBI in August to get their side after a raid conducted by the bureau’s agents.
“The owners were cooperative with the investigation,” Baldovino said.
However, when pressed if they are also filing charges against the financier of the illegal gambling operations, Baldovino said they don’t have any evidence yet to warrant the filing of cases against the rumored financier, reported to be resident of a city in northern Negros Occidental.
On the other hand, Baldovino reported the arrest of a Bacolod City resident in Brgy. 31 for collecting bets for STL using a fake ID.
Arrested was Gilberto Onde who managed to collect P4,000 in bets.
“Onde faces charges for violating Republic Act 9287…,” Baldovino said./PN
