By JEN BAYLON

Eighteen “bookies” collectors in Negros Occidental are facing illegal gambling charges following their arrests during police operations in the past months.

The collectors were arrested in separate anti-illegal gambling operations in the cities of Escalante, Bago, La Carlota, Sipalay, and Victorias, as well as the municipalities of Candoni, San Enrique, E.B. Magalona, and Cauayan.

Cash bets worth P8,586, lotto tally sheets, bookies identification cards, among other items were recovered during the operations.

The bookies collectors are operating by using winning numbers from the Small Town Lottery draws.

Under Republic Act (RA) 9287, operators of illegal number games may face imprisonment for six to eight years.

Collectors or agents may be imprisoned for eight to 10 years, while bettors may also face imprisonment for 30 to 90 days.

RA 9287, which increases penalties for illegal bookies operators, aims to eradicate illegal activities and punish those involved, while also providing protection for witnesses and incentives for law enforcement officers.

Meanwhile, Police Regional Office in Western Visayas director, Brigadier General Jack Wanky, has vowed to maintain relentless efforts against illegal gambling activities in the region.

Wanky also urged all police commanders to intensify their enforcement campaigns, by enforcing the “one strike and no-take policy.”

“Those who operate illegally should be continually subject to law enforcement operations,” he said./JB, WDJ