Police personnel in two towns separately arrested four people who are facing charges of illegal gambling before local courts.
On Nov. 19, 2025 in sitio Summit, P. Vera, Viga, elements of the Panganiban police station apprehended farmer Regina Boneo Bolactia, 55, and housewife Marilyn Soriao Torregosa, 60, while enforcers from the Catanduanes 2nd Police Mobile Force Company and Viga police station nabbed farmer Arden Alaurin Balidoy, 49.
The arrests were made pursuant to a warrant issued by Presiding Judge Lilibeth R. Ranara-Danglosi of the 3rd Municipal Circuit Trial Court for Panganiban, Viga and Bagamanoc in connection with Criminal Case No. V-1609 for violation of Presidential Decree 1602.
Bail for their temporary liberty during trial was set at P15,000 each.
On the same day in Iyao, Caramoran, Bato police personnel arrested Lita Tejeresas Oturdo, 58, a jobless widow, for illegal gambling under Criminal Case No. 25-1861 filed before the sala of Presiding Judge Francisco E. Torres of the 1st MCTC covering Bato-San Miguel. Bail was recommended at P1,000.
Under PD 1602, those found guilty of engaging in illegal or unauthorized numbers games may be sentenced to imprisonment or a fine ranging from P1,000 to P6,000.
In another development, a fisherman from Dariao, Caramoran could face similar punishment if proven guilty of illegal fishing in violation of Republic Act 10854.
Last Nov. 19, Rolly Rafael del Barrio, 48, was collared by personal of the Caramoran police armed with an arrest warrant issued by Presiding Judge Cecilia Maria Rosario M. Arce Galicia of the MCTC of Pandan-Caramoran.
He would have to shell out P10,000 for the bail recommended under Criminal Case No.202503915.
In Sta. Maria, Panganiban, abaca stripper Ernesto Escobar Visaya Jr., 45, a resident of barangay San Miguel, was apprehended by the town police following the filing of Criminal Case No. P-1610 against him for violation of RA 8048 or the Coconut Preservation Act of 1995.
As amended by RA 10593, the law punishes those found guilty of cutting coconut trees without a permit with a prison term ranging from two to six years, a fine of P100,000 to P500,000, or both at the discretion of the court.
Once he pays the recommended bail of P18,000, Visaya can enjoy temporary freedom during the trial of the case before Judge Ranara-Danglosi of the 3rd MCTC.