The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has vowed to continue its crackdown on illegal gambling in Bohol, following the arrest of 33 individuals allegedly involved in unauthorized small town lottery (STL) operations.
The NBI, in coordination with the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), has been conducting a series of raids against illegal STL outlets in the province.
The latest operation, which took place on November 9 and 10, resulted in the arrest of 33 bet collectors and tellers, who were caught in the act of personally accepting bets from NBI poseur bettors.
The arrested individuals, consisting of three men and 30 women, were caught operating in various towns in Bohol, including Jagna, Ubay, Guindulman, Dauis, Panglao, Talibon, Calape, Getafe, and Tagbilaran City.
The NBI also confiscated gambling paraphernalia and proceeds from the alleged illegal gambling operations.
According to Arnel Pura, agent in charge of the NBI-Cebu District Office, the arrested individuals did not have the authorization or license to engage in STL operations in Bohol.
Pura said that the NBI will continue to monitor and investigate illegal gambling activities in the community, and will work closely with the PCSO to curb these operations.
The PCSO has reported losses due to these illegal operations, with Argy Castañeda, officer-in-charge of the PCSO-Bohol branch, saying that Brigantine Management Solutions Inc. is the only registered STL operator authorized by the PCSO in the province.
Castañeda noted that the PCSO will continue to coordinate with the NBI to curb illegal gambling operations that cause injury to legitimate STL operators.
The government has also lost income due to these illegal operations, as they do not pay any taxes.
Other forms of illegal gambling in the province include illegal cockfights, hantak, and other similar numbers games.
Earlier this year, a separate controversy had emerged in Bohol politics, with Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado facing allegations of involvement in illegal gambling operations.
The allegations were made by Teopisto “Titoy” Cabagnot, a retired Philippine Constabulary officer and cousin of the governor.
Cabagnot, who has been vocal about his claims on social media and radio, alleged that Aumentado is supporting unauthorized numbers games, including “swertres,” which is not sanctioned by the PCSO.
Cabagnot claimed that he has provided the NBI with names of individuals allegedly involved in these activities, and has positioned himself as a whistleblower, asserting that he is exposing these issues ahead of the May 12, 2025 elections.
He described the local government as “greedy, abusive, vindictive, and corrupt,” and challenged anyone to question him about his claims.
Aumentado has vehemently denied the allegations, calling them “baseless and malicious.”
He claimed that Cabagnot approached him in 2022 with proposals to operate illegal gambling activities, which he rejected outright.
Aumentado said that the PCSO has authorized small town lotteries (STL) to operate legally within the province, and that he has consistently opposed illegal gambling in Bohol.
The governor questioned Cabagnot’s credibility, suggesting that he is not a genuine whistleblower but rather a disgruntled relative with ulterior motives.
Aumentado had clarified that Cabagnot is not closely related to him but rather a distant cousin.
He accused Cabagnot of attempting to create a narrative that implicates various officials, including former Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr., and other local leaders in illegal gambling schemes.