By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Two ‘Peryahan ng bayan’ outlets in Bacolod City and Escalante City were raided last Monday after a search warrant was issued by the Metro Manila court.

Based on a radio interview, Bacolod City National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) chief, Atty. Renoir Baldovino, said the warrant was issued on allegations of illegal gambling by Executive Judge Cecilyn Burgos-Villavert of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court-Branch 89.

Baldovino pointed out the establishments, which were operated by Globaltech, were not authorized to operate as the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) removed their deed of authority after failing to pay the presumptive monthly retail receipt, which was around P100 million.

The local NBI chief said they immediately detained the total of 21 employees of both establishments.

Both outlets were padlocked after NBI operatives completed an inventory and seized various items allegedly used for illegal gambling operations.

Earlier, another Bacolod City ‘Peryahan ng bayan’ branch was raided by PCSO representatives and Police Station 4 personnel, resulting in the establishment’s closure due to alleged illegal gambling activities./DGB, WDJ