ARITAO, Nueva Vizcaya – Police apprehended three alleged beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) for illegal gambling in Purok 4, Barangay Bone South here Tuesday, July 5.
Police Major Oscar O. Abrogena, Aritao police chief, led the operation against the suspects after learning from social media that a group of women, allegedly 4Ps beneficiaries, were seen playing a card game called “tong-its.”
Police Executive Master Sgt. Allan T. Jalmasco, investigator-on-case, identified the suspects as Michelle ,46; Jona, 53; and Melinda, 46, all residents of Purok 4, Barangay Bone South.
Police found the tong-its gamblers in the kitchen of a house.
Confiscated from them were P290 in different denominations and blue plastic playing cards.
The operation was witnessed by barangay kagawads or councilors.
The arrested women and pieces of evidence were brought to the Aritao Police Station for documentation prior to the filing of appropriate criminal charges against them in court.
Police said they have yet to determine who among the suspects are 4Ps beneficiaries, although the owner of the raided house was a confirmed beneficiary.
According to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the financial aid from the national government should be used to buy one’s basic needs and not to be wasted through gambling activities.
Police said the three women will still go through due process. Their side will be heard and if found guilty, they will be deleted from the list of 4Ps beneficiaries.