By Jennifer P. Rendon
Five persons, including a Sangguniang Kabataan chairman, were arrested after they were caught placing bets in a spider derby in Sibalom, Antique on Aug 14, 2020.
Members of Sibalom Police Station conducted the operation following reports of the derby at Barangay Villar around 5:30 p.m. of Friday.
The suspects are residents of other areas, including Van Regor Hantoc, 24, the SK chairperson of Barangay Alangan, Sibalom; Mark Paulino, 30, of Barangay Malaiba, San Jose, Antique; Duxs Tristan Membrido, 18, a college student from Alangan village; and Jeffrey Melo, 31, a seafarer from Barangay Cubay Napultan, Sibalom.
Also collared was Jun Omallao, 33, a laborer from Barangay Villar.
Sibalom police operatives recovered several spiders placed in boxes, two tables which served as derby arena and P1,154 in bet money.
The suspects are now detained and will be charged for violation of Presidential Decree 1602, which prescribes stiffer penalties for illegal gambling.
