Town councilor, 8 others in Bohol arrested for illegal gambling

TAGBILARAN CITY - Police on Monday afternoon arrested a town councilor and eight other individuals after they were caught playing mahjong in Jagna town in Bohol province.

Jagna police said the suspects included Councilor Pacheco Llido Rances, 65, a resident of Barangay Poblacion. Rances is seeking re-election in the May 2022 polls.

The other suspects were identified as Eriberto Rañin, 72, a resident of Looc; Felix Yray, 51, a resident of Pagina; Venusto Caseñas, 60, a resident of Can-upao; Wendell Du, 48, a resident of Nausok; Conrado Yap, 65, a resident of Canjulao; Silvano Bayron, 83, a resident of Pagina; Antonio Salazar, 57, a resident of Tejero; and Ireneo Salas, 47, a resident of Malbog.

Police Major Marcos Lopez, chief of Jagna police, said they received complaints that illegal gambling was ongoing at Barangay Looc.

The suspects were arrested around 3:30 p.m. while playing mahjong.

Seized from the suspects were an undetermined amount of bet money and gambling paraphernalia.

Lopez said all types of gambling remains prohibited since the town has not been issuing permits for gambling amid the pandemic.

He stressed that Jagna police is strict in the campaign against all forms of illegal activities in the town.

On Tuesday morning, police filed the charges against the suspects at the local court in relation to the violation of anti-illegal gambling laws. -- BAP, GMA News