Anti-gambling drive in Cavite nets 5 Japanese nationals

Five Japanese nationals have been arrested by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) during an operation against illegal gambling in Cavite City, an official said Wednesday. Regional Director lawyer Edward Villarta, chief of the National Capital Region (NCR), identified the Japanese as Osamu Sasai of 144 Sunrise Subdivision, Bagbag, Rosario, Cavite; Susuki Takayuki of 2107 Bayview Interior, Parañaque City; Takano Issei of 150 Alfaro Street, Makati City; Kawano Takashi of B8 Falcon BF Parañaque City and Tomiharu Kinoshita of 1708 Chateau de Baie, Roxas Boulevard, Parañaque City. They are now under the custody of the NBI-National Capital Region (NCR). Investigation conducted by the NBI-NCR showed that the operation was organized following a tip that the Sasahama restaurant on Magdalo Highway, Putol, Kawit, Cavite, was being used as front for gambling. The NBI dispatched a team to the restaurant and verified the information. Armed with search warrants issued by Executive Judge Norberto Quisumbing Jr of the Imus, Cavite Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 21, NBI agents swooped down on the restaurant last January 24. Agents seized 80 pieces of Casino Filipino chips, three units of mahjong tables, four sets of mahjong titles, two boxes of mahjong markers in different colors, shapes and sizes, a logbook of the Tanggulan Security Agency and Investigation Services, documents pertaining to the gambling activities of the group and a mayor's permit. The suspects are facing charges for violation of Presidential Decree 1602. - GMANews.TV