- BERT BAYORAN
The National Bureau of Investigation is now gathering more evidences against the financiers of fake Small Town Lottery (STL) operations, under the name Vikings Peryahan ng Bayan, in preparation for the filing of charges against its operators.
While he refused to identify them, NBI Bacolod chief Atty. Renoir Baldovino yesterday said that they have an inkling on their identities.
Baldovino confirmed yesterday the illegal operations of Vikings Peryahan ng Bayan under the guise of STL operations, not only in Bacolod City, but also in Binalbagan and Sipalay City in Negros Occidental, based on the test bet operations they conducted on Aug. 6.
He clarified that the Super Lucky Beagler Inc. is the only outfit authorized by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office to operate STL in Negros Occidental.
He added that when the NBI conducted an operation on targeted betting stations in Binalbagan and Sipalay on Aug. 10, the illegal outlet was already closed.
He raised the possibility that it was temporarily closed, and may resume operations anytime. There were speculations that the operation was compromised, which is still being determined by the NBI.
But Baldovino said they already issued subpoenas to owners of the lot and building, where betting stations of Vikings/Peryahan ng Bayan have been established, to explain why they allow the operations of an illegal STL outlet.
Last week, a betting station of Vikings/Peryahan ng Bayan was also raided by NBI operatives at the Libertad Public Market in Bacolod City, leading to the arrest of two persons, who immediately managed to post bail of P162,000 and were released from the NBI custodial facility on Aug. 6.
Under Republic Act 9287, or “An Act Increasing the Penalties for Illegal Numbers Games, Amending Certain Provisions of Presidential Decree No. 1602, and for other purposes”, anyone involved in the operations of illegal STL, and even arrested bettors who will be convicted for such offense, will be imprisoned from 30 to 90 days, Baldovino said.
For the staff, owner of the lot or building, they may face six to eight years of imprisonment, eight to 10 years for bet solicitor, 10 to 12 years for coordinator and supervisor, 12 to 14 years for the maintainer, manager and operator, 14 years to 16 years for the financier, 16 to 20 years for protectors, as well as perpetual disqualification of holding public office, especially those who are connected with the government, he added.
The three illegal betting stations of Vikings/Peryahan ng Bayan reportedly started their operations early this month.
“We are also validating information that they are operating in other areas of Negros Occidental,” Baldovino said./GB
