PNP: Illegal gambling ops yield 23,823 arrested suspects, P7M bets and paraphernalia

A total of 23,823 persons allegedly involved in illegal gambling have been arrested in intensified operations against illegal activities, the Philippine National Police said Friday.

PNP spokesperson Chief Supt. Dionardo Carlos said the operations were conducted from January 1 to October 11, 2017.

He said P7,985,204.75 worth of cash bets and gambling paraphernalia were seized from the arrested offenders in 12,310 separate police operations, based on reports culled by the PNP National Operations Center (NOC).

He added 16 chiefs of police from six regional offices have been relieved from their posts "for falling short of expectation in the anti-illegal gambling campaign, consistent with internal policy on individual and unit performance in managing police operations."

Illegal logging

Meanwhile, 889 suspects have been arrested for illegal logging in different provinces.

Carlos said the violators were nabbed in 1,024 police operations.

He added 852,377 board feet of contraband timber and lumber products valued at P21,383,968 were confiscated from the suspects. —KG, GMA News