By Jennifer P. Rendon
The Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) is investigating whether the billiard game staged over the weekend in Mandurriao, Iloilo City, went beyond a simple promotional tournament.
Colonel Joeresty Coronica, Iloilo City police chief, said they received reports that several individuals placed money bets during a billiard event on the evening of July 20 at Barangay Bolilao, Mandurriao district.
“Reports likened the event to a cockfight: there’s a guaranteed prize of P250,000, and spectators were made to pay P300,” he said, adding that the information is still subject to validation.
The billiard tournament between Boknoy The Rapid Fire of Iloilo and Jaybee Sucal ended in a commotion.
The event, which was uploaded to social media, showed spectators fleeing the venue after someone shouted “raid.”
The tournament, which started around 8 p.m. on Saturday, was allegedly part of the billiard hall’s soft opening.
The owner initially charged a P300 entrance fee but later allowed an “open gate,” letting others in without paying.
The video showed that some people placed bets on their favored player, but the owner denied sanctioning any betting.
Coronica said they are still trying to identify the individuals involved in placing bets.
“If it was just a billiard game, there’s nothing wrong with it. But if there’s money involved, that could be considered illegal gambling,” he said.
If evidence warrants, Coronica said he would push for filing appropriate charges against those involved.
