BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
A ranking official of the National Bureau of Investigation yesterday warned financiers and coddlers of those involved in running illegal Small Town Lottery outlets in Negros Occidental, to stop their illegal activities.
Atty. Renoir Baldovino, NBI-Bacolod Agent-In-Charge, disclosed that the penalty is now much heavier for protectors of illegal gambling, especially if they are government employees or officials.
Baldovino made the warning as two bet collectors of fake STL, who were released on Saturday from NBI custody after managing to post bail of P132,000, a day after their arrest on August 5 inside an establishment at the Libertad Public Market in Bacolod City.
He said they are still in the process of identifying the financiers of the fake STL operations, as well as its protectors, which has been operating for less than a month outside Bacolod City.
Baldovino said they will find out why those engaged in the illegal operation of STL have the courage to do so, if they are not being protected by influential people.
He stressed that only the Super Lucky Beagler Inc. (SLBI) has the franchise to engage in STL operations, as authorized by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
The illegal STL operations were found to use the draw results of legal operator.
Baldovino warned STL aficionados to be wary of illegal gambling outfits claiming to be a legal operator.
“Your winnings are uncertain with the illegal operation,” he said.
Under RA 9287 provisions, government employees or officials convicted by the court shall suffer the imprisonment of 12 to 20 years of imprisonment and a fine ranging from P3 million to P5 million, as well as perpetual absolute disqualification from public office.*