Five arrested in Philippines for illegal gambling, gun ban violations: Report
Five individuals were arrested in Manila, Philippines, for alleged illegal gambling activities and election gun ban violations in two separate operations. In a report by the local media, The Inquirer, Moriones Tondo Police Station said the suspects were caught playing cara y cruz along Chacon Street in Barangay 7.
During a routine frisk, police officers found a .38 calibre revolver and two rounds of live ammunition on one of the men. The arrested individuals were identified as technician Nico Garcia and vendor Pacifico De Jesus.
Arrests in Paco
In a separate incident the same evening, three more individuals were arrested for gambling in public at the corner of San Andres and Singalong Streets in Paco, Manila. The Ermita Police Station reported that the suspects were caught playing cara y cruz, a popular street game involving coins.
One of the suspects was found in possession of a pen gun, an improvised firearm, along with a piece of 9mm live ammunition. The police identified them as Gladpoal Dulay, 26; Ryan Capambe, 34; and Rey Maravilla, 62.
Legal consequences
All five suspects have been charged before the Manila City Prosecutor’s Office. They face complaints under Presidential Decree No. 1602, which penalises illegal gambling, as well as violations of the Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act. These charges are also linked to the Omnibus Election Code, as the arrests occurred during the election period when a gun ban was in effect.
In August 2017, Executive Order No. 13 was issued to enhance enforcement against illegal gambling in the Philippines. It requires law enforcement agencies to coordinate efforts and clarifies the jurisdiction of gambling regulators.
Illegal gambling is defined as any unauthorised betting activity, whether based on chance or skill. The order also prohibits licensed online operators from allowing bets outside their authorised jurisdiction. Additionally, it restricts gambling-related services beyond the licensing authority’s territorial scope. The government is expected to issue further regulations to ensure proper implementation and enforcement of the order.
Election period gun ban enforcement
The firearms ban took effect on 12 January with the start of the election period for the 2025 midterm polls in the Philippines. As of Wednesday, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported that 2,105 individuals had been apprehended for violating the restriction. The measure aims to prevent election-related violence and maintain order in the lead-up to the polls.
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