BAGUIO CITY – A beneficiary of 4P’s (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program) and a recipient of Social Amelioration Program (SAP), both under the supervision of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and two other applicants were arrested while in the act of playing a card game locally known “tong-its” in Barangay Irisan, this city.
Reports from Station 9 of the Baguio City Police Office said they received a complaint from barangay tanod Elmer Battalier on Tuesday afternoon about the illegal gambling at No. 190 Lower Cypress,Barangay Irisan, Baguio City.
Police operatives immediately proceeded to the area and caught the suspects playing “tong-its”. They were identified as Rubie-an Ubanan, 40; Maribel Tacud, 50; Christina Villa, 41; and Roque Jardinjico, 47.
Police learned that Tacud is a member of 4Ps and Jardinjico is a DSWD SAP recipients, while Rubie-an Ubanan and Villa are SAP applicants.
Charges for violation of Presidential Decree 1602 (playing card game) and ECQ rules were filed before Prosecutor Nemia Peralta. They were detained at the Baguio City Jail.
“I’m so sad about it since we are trying to mobilize everyone to reach them out para matulungan only to find out na naka-relax , gambling and drinking at not cooperating in this time of crisis. Sila pa ang hindi sumusunod sa order ng gobyerno,” said Betty Fangasan, head of the City Social Welfare and Development Office.
She reported the 4Ps beneficiary to the DSWD City Link Social Worker for proper disposition in accordance to the conditionality of 4Ps.
“We will study most especially those who have children to feed. We do not want also their children to suffer in this crisis because of their uncooperative and irresponsible parents.”
She said she has already assigned social worker officer Evangeline Fanusan to investigate the incident for legal action and proper disposition. (Zaldy Comanda)