MAGALONG (FB)
BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Benjamin Magalong on Tuesday, April 14, ordered the closure of a snack house here which was hit by an explosion and later turned out to be an illegal gambling den.
Fourteen persons were injured in the explosion from an improvised explosive device thrown by a 32-year-old male miner from Itogon, Benguet on Monday.
Magalong said he has instructed the police to ensure that the place is closed and stressed that the incident is an isolated case and not an act of terrorism.
The Baguio City Council has passed a resolution urging the Baguio City Police Office, Magalong, and other concerned agencies to investigate reports of illegal gambling activities in the area.
Resolution No. 297-2026 submitted by Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President John Rhey Mananeng was unanimously approved by the city council during a session on Monday afternoon.
The resolution emphasized that such operations are prohibited under existing laws and local ordinances and are often associated with criminal activities, financial burdens on families, and other erosion of community values.
Mananeng stressed that allowing such activities to continue goes against the city’s long-standing efforts to promote integrity, discipline, and social responsibility among residents in line with its identity as a Character City.
If investigation confirms the illegal activity, the city council called for the immediate closure of the establishment, the filing of appropriate charges against those involved, and the review of any business permits or licenses that may have been issued.
The suspect faces apprppriate cases.