PNP arrests 94 in Tarlac for illegal gambling

The Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group arrested 94 individuals involved in an alleged illegal gambling operation in Tarlac City on Sunday, June 29.

Police conducted a raid at an event center in San Vicente where operators were conducting unlicensed raffle draws and promoting them online; the event was live-streamed and attracted over 1,000 people.

Among those arrested were three financiers and operators, 18 administrative staff, 43 head distributors, 19 distributors, and 11 agents who had been operating illegally for five years using a tambiolo system where bettors purchased PHP20 raffle tickets.

Police Brig. Gen. Bernard Yang said that the group's prizes included a wedding package worth P500,000, a lot worth P1 million, a business package worth P1 million, and a Toyota Fortuner worth P4.5 million; however, further investigation revealed these were fraudulent with winners being members of the group.

The police confiscated raffle barrels, certificates of appreciation, bundles of tickets, and other materials during the operation; those arrested face charges under PD 1602 and RA 10175.