SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union (PIA) – As Police Regional Office 1 (PRO-1) remains steadfast on the campaign against illegal gambling, a total of 2,655 illegal gamblers were arrested in 814 police operations conducted in the Ilocos Region in 2023.

PLTCOL Benigno Sumawang, chief of the Regional Public Information Office of PRO-1, said local police authorities confiscated cash amounting to P1,239,492.95 from illegal betting in the region.

In Pangasinan, 472 operations were launched in the previous year which led to the arrest of 1,328 illegal bettors while 585 were arrested in 153 operations in La Union; 459 were seized in 118 operations in Ilocos Sur; and 283 were nabbed in 71 operations in Ilocos Norte.

Most of the suspects were caught playing card games, video karera, Cara y Cruz, and colored games.

On the other hand, some were arrested due to participation in the operation of unlawful number games such as jueteng, bookmaking, and the last two.

“Any form of illegal gambling is prohibited, may it be small or large scale,” Sumawang said.

Sumawang also urged local government units, especially barangay councils, to help authorities enforce the law against illegal gambling across communities and to police violators of the law. (JCR/AMB/CGCC/PIA Region 1)