pn: 13 masiao suspects freed
Balita News
were arrested during a raid at the home of a Filipino-Chinese
businessman here have been released friday.
This came after they chose to plead guilty to the illegal gambling
charges raised against them in court.
The 13 masiao comptrollers were allegedly working for businessman
Antonio Yee, a hotel owner who was earlier tagged by the police as the
biggest masiao financier in Region 10.
Those convicted were identified as Lorna Moreno, 29, of Tibasak,
Macasandig, Joan Simon, 29, Zone 2, Cugman; Shiela Gomez, 29, Tomas
Saco, Macasandig; Armie Paredes, 23, Zone 1, Camaman-an; Lucila Dao, 27,
Gusa;
Lilia Montes, 28, Cugman; Marife Islag, 22, Lapasan; Cathy Perez,
22, of Camaman-an; Khezza Bacal, 19, Zone 3, Cugman; Christina Caylo'
30. Carmen.
Eric Reyes, 24, of San Juan, Lapasan; Garry Legarda, 24, San Juan,
Lapasan; and Ricky Batislao, 23, San Juan, Lapasan.
A court order signed by Judge Avelino Pakino of the Municipal Trial
Court in Cities (MTCC) Branch 3 found all of them guilty beyond
reasonable doubt.
Based on the same order, Assistant City Prosecutor Gil Bollozos
told them to pay a P400 fine. Aside from this, all masiao paraphernalia
have been forfeited in favor of the government.
Earlier, Yee posted a P12,000 bailbond not long after his arrest.
City Prosecutor Casiano Gamotin, who was with the raiding team,
said that by posting bail Yee will contest the charges filed against him
in court.
Yee stands accused of illegal gambling charges after members of the
Anti-Vice Section (AVS) raided his home at Tomas Saco and Clementino
Chavez streets, Barangay Macasandig Wednesday.
The group, which secured City Police Director Cesar Ouano's
approval to proceed with the raid, then secured a search warrant from
Judge Dan Calderon of the MTCC Branch 1.
Despite some difficulties, the team eventually arrested the 13
masiao comptrollers and confiscated assorted masiao paraphernalia from
Yee's home.
AVS chief Senior Insp. Roque Marban earlier claimed that Yee has
been engaged in the operation of the illegal numbers game for quite some
time, even earning a healthy p300,000 daily in the city alone.
The raid was witnessed by both Gamotin, who is vice-chairman of the
Regulatory and Complaint Board (RCB) and barangay kagawad Mario Bolanio
of Macasandig. (PNA) MB/lam/cd/11:05am/msb
PNA 01231022