By Martin Sadongdong
A woman who was caught in the act of collecting bets for an illegal numbers game was arrested by the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) in Muntinlupa City Friday as authorities intensify crackdown on illegal gambling operations in Metro Manila.
Elements of the NCRPO-Regional Special Operations Unit (RSOU) apprehended Susan Ruz, 54, a native of Nueva Ecija and resident of Quezon St., Brgy. Poblacion, Muntinlupa City.
National Capital Region Police Office nabs 54-year-old Susan Ruz who was caught in the act of collecting bets for an illegal numbers game (NCRPO / MANILA BULLETIN)
NCRPO Director Guillermo Eleazar said Ruz was collared after the police received a tip from a confidential informant about the suspect's alleged illegal gambling operations.
Eleazar said a team from the NCRPO-RSOU conducted a surveillance operation on Ruz around 5:30 p.m. at Quezon Street to verify the information.
The suspect, who was confirmed to be not a worker from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes office (PCSO), was seen apparently collecting money from the bettors in the area, Eleazar said.
An undercover policewoman then approached Ruz and pretended to place a bet. The suspect, Eleazar said, accepted the money from the undercover agent.
After the undercover agent gave off a pre-arranged signal, the arresting team showed up and effected the arrest of Ruz.
In a 45-second video from the NCRPO, Ruz was seen struggling to break free from the members of the arresting team. However, she had no choice but to go with the cops when they escorted her to a police van to complete the arrest.
Police recovered from Ruz' possession P358 as bet collection money, a P20-bill used as marked money; a bet result card, two ballpens, a booklet collection report form, a sling bag, and a cellular phone.
Ruz was brought to the NCRPO headquarters in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City where she will face charges for violation of Presidential Decree 1602 (illegal gambling) as amended by Republic Act 9287 (illegal numbers game). (Martin A. Sadongdong)