By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Bacolod City was urged to continue its probe into the illegal operations of the Small Town Lottery (STL) in Negros Occidental.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson supports the NBI’s decision to file illegal gambling charges against barangay captains Noli Villarosa of Bacolod’s Barangay Tangub; and Joel Alibango Francz and Leonard Seguiro of Kabankalan City’s barangays 5 and 6, respectively.
Lacson said the provincial government does not tolerate any type of illegal operations related to STL, since there is already one legitimate operation under Super Lucky Beaglers Inc.
He also revealed he had a talk with Jose Manuel Villagracia, branch manager of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office in Negros Occidental, over the STL operations. However, he said that some of the information that was forwarded to him cannot be publicized.
Earlier, Atty. Renoir Baldovino, NBI-Bacolod chief, said they have filed charges against the three village chiefs, and an unidentified individual for violating Republic Act 9287, which increased penalties for illegal numbers games, amending certain provisions of Presidential Decree 1602.
NBI-Bacolod linked them to illegal STL operations in Kabankalan.
On February 15, NBI-Bacolod carried out an entrapment operation in the locality which resulted in the arrest of three bet collectors and a bettor in barangays 5, 6 and 7.
The charges were filed against the arrested.
Baldovino said they have enough documentary and testimonial evidence against Villarosa.
Earlier, Villarosa dared the officials of NBI-Bacolod to resign if illegal gambling charges filed against him are proven false in court.
Villarosa denied involvement in the illegal STL operations in Kabankalan.
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 operations.
The village chief added that the charges filed against him are politically motivated./DGB, WDJ