By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Two village chiefs and a former official in Negros Occidental’s Kabankalan City were identified by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Bacolod City as alleged protectors of illegal gambling activities.

NBI-Bacolod chief Atty. Renoir Baldovino said they have issued summons to Kabankalan village chiefs Joel Alebajo of Barangay 5 and France Jonard Seguero of Barangay 6.

Baldovino refused to name the former city official who allegedly acted as the operator of the Small Town Lottery (STL) in the city.

Also invited by the NBI are alleged gambling operators JR Basinillo and an individual who has yet to be identified.

According to Baldovino, they summoned the alleged protectors to their office today and on Thursday, February 23, following an entrapment operation conducted last February 15, which resulted in the arrest of three bet collectors and a bettor in barangays 5, 6 and 7.

The arrested were identified as Renante Brioso, Reda Ayala, Janet Fustor, and Glen Binigay.

Baldovino said the operators of the illegal STL are using the draw results from the Super Lucky Beagler, Inc. (SLBI), the only authorized STL operator by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental.

The NBI-Bacolod chief added that charges have already been filed against those arrested in the operation.

Based on their investigation, Baldovino said the two village chiefs and bet collectors had a meeting at the barangay hall recently.

They also allegedly spread misinformation that SLBI’s authority to operate had already expired.

SLBI’s authority to operate is until 2024.

The results of the investigation will be known once the summoned personalities show up to explain themselves, Baldovino said./DGB, WDJ