By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Bacolod City’s Barangay Tangub chief Noli Villarosa dares the officials of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in the city to resign if illegal gambling charges filed against him are proven false in court.

In a press conference yesterday, Villarosa again denied involvement in the illegal Small Town Lottery (STL) operations in Negros Occidental’s Kabankalan City.

“Kung mapamatud-an ‘bi karon nga wala ko engagement [in the illegal numbers game], ano ang ila liabilities sa akon?” Villarosa asked.

NBI-Bacolod accused Villarosa of serving as the financier.

He said he is ready to resign from his post if the NBI is able to prove to court that he was indeed involved in illegal STL operations.

Villarosa, along with Kabankalan village chiefs Joel Alibango and Francz Leonard Seguiro of barangays 5 and 6, respectively, were charged with Republic Act 9287, which increased penalties for illegal numbers games, amending certain provisions of Presidential Decree 1602.

Villarosa called on Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Benitez, and even Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson to open a forum on illegal gambling, inviting all law enforcement agencies to find a way to actually identify individuals who are really involved in the illegal numbers game.

“Indi man naton [subong] ma-identify kung ano ang illegal or legal,” Villarosa said.

He claimed that there is no Resolution of No Objection for STL operations in Bacolod.

Villarosa added that the STL is just a “big syndicate” and should be stopped.

Earlier, NBI-Bacolod chief Atty. Renoir Baldovino said they have enough documentary and testimonial evidence against Villarosa.

Also included in the charges is an unidentified individual.

On February 15, NBI-Bacolod carried out an entrapment operation in Kabankalan City. Three bet collectors and a bettor were arrested in barangays 5, 6 and 7 and charges were filed against them./DGB, WDJ