Four arrested for gambling during wake

Four individuals were arrested during an anti-illegal gambling operation conducted by the Laoag City Police Station in the early hours of Wednesday at a wake in Barangay 19.

Police said the operation was carried out at around 1:06 a.m. along Lampitoc Street, with personnel equipped with body-worn cameras under the supervision of Officer-in-Charge PLTCOL Ryan M. Retotar.

Authorities identified the arrested suspects as Michael Jones Valdez, 50, of Barangay 18; John Lord Dumbrique, 28, of Barangay 19; Alexander Rabang, 54, of Barangay 19; and Gian Quintos, 31, of Barangay 21, all residents of Laoag City.

The suspects were reportedly caught in the act of playing a card game with bets locally known as “Lucky Nine.”

Meanwhile, four other individuals managed to evade arrest and remain at large. Police withheld their identities to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation.

Operatives recovered several items from the scene, including playing cards, plastic chairs, a table, and a multi-colored blanket believed to have been used as a makeshift playing surface. Authorities also seized alleged bet money amounting to P5,305 in various denominations, along with two mobile phones believed to be connected to the activity.