Illegal gambling in Caraga backed by politicians — group

BUTUAN CITY, Philippines – Local politicians in the Caraga region are behind the proliferation of Swertres, a three-digit illegal gambling funded by wealthy businessmen in the region, a nongovernment group claimed. In a statement, the Movement for Good Governance also said 6 out of 10 residents in Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur — mostly 20 to 50 years old — are hooked on the game. “Most of them are ordinary folks but the illegal numbers game’s financiers were [are] traders. Some [are] politicians," the group said in a statement over the weekend. It did not elaborate. Locals would rather gamble on Swertres given its minimum bet of a peso rather than on the government-run lotto, which costs at least P10. The group also claimed Swertres financiers who earn P500,000 to P1 million daily give protection money to a popular radio station it did not name. “[The radio station’s] freedom fighter image is only a camouflage. It is actually relentlessly and undoubtedly corrupt," the movement said. The Movement for Good Governance also expressed alarm over the addiction of students to video games, fueled by the proliferation of internet cafés near public and private schools. “This affects the quality of education because some skip classes just to play their favorite video games in internet cafés," it added. BS/SMD/NPA, GMANews.TV