BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) targeted two small town lottery (STL) operators that it said were not authorized by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).
NBI-Bacolod chief Atty. Renoir Baldovino said the two operators were in the town of Binalbagan and in Sipalay City in Negros Occidental.
Citing information from PCSO, Baldovino said the only authorized STL operator in Negros Occidental is Super Lucky Beagler, Incorporated.
Vikings Peryahan ng Bayan, he added, was not.
On Aug. 6, NBI-Bacolod conducted a “test bet” at the two Vikings STL operators.
Then on August 8, NBI conducted a surveillance operation and confirmed that Vikings Peryahan ng Bayan was indeed operating.
On Wednesday, Baldovino said, they scheduled a raid; however, the establishments were closed.
Baldovino said it was possible that the STL operators were only “cooling off”.
Under Republic Act (RA) 9287 or “An Act Increasing the Penalties for Illegal Numbers Games, Amending Certain Provisions of Presidential Decree No. 1602, and for other purposes”, Baldovino said anyone involved in illegal STL operation and even bettors can face prison time.
“Doon po sa bettors or tumataya lang po, mayroong imprisonment na 30 to 90 days. Yung staff or may-ari ng bahay o lupa kung saan ginagawa ang illegal na operasyon, six to eight years imprisonment,” Baldovino said.
Collectors, on the other hand, can face up to eight to 10 years imprisonment.
Supervisors, managers, maintainers, and operators, meanwhile, face jail time of up to 14 years while protectors can face up to 20 years imprisonment.
“Lalo na po kung ang protector ay isang public official, kasama na po dyan ang perpetual disqualification from holding public office,” Baldovino added.
Baldovino informed the public that only Super Lucky Beagler is allowed to operate STL in Negros Occidental, including Bacolod City, and any other STL operators popping up in the province are illegally operating./PN