BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) – Bacolod confirmed yesterday morning that the illegal gambling charges filed against Barangay Captain Noli Villarosa of Tangub here and two other village chiefs from Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental were dismissed.
The charges against Villarosa and Kabankalan City’s Barangay 5 captain Joel Alibango and Barangay 6 captain Francz Leonard Seguiro were in relation to the illegal operation of the Small Town Lottery (STL) in Kabankalan City.
According to NBI agent William De Arca, the Kabankalan City Prosecutor’s Office dismissed the charges due to lack of evidence and probable cause.
The NBI’s legal team is now studying the possibility of re-filing the charges.
Villarosa, meanwhile, said the charges were dismissed last month yet. However, he was not able to file a counter-affidavit.
He said his lawyer filed for an extension in submitting the counter-affidavit, although the charges were dismissed even before they were able to submit.
Villarosa denied the allegation that he was involved in illegal STL operations in Kabankalan City. He pointed out he is ready to resign if the NBI could prove the accusation.
The village chief added the charges filed against him were politically motivated./PN
