Three Chinese nationals arrested for gambling

The Philippine National Police has arrested three Chinese nationals for playing card games popularly known as “blackjack” in this resort island.

PO3 Christopher Mendoza of the Boracay PNP said the Chinese nationals, whose identities were not readily made available by the police, were arrested by operatives of the Regional Intelligence Division of the PNP.

The three foreign nationals were identified as Liang Yue Shi, 35, a tourist guide and a resident of Sitio Lubuton, Brgy. Manoc-manoc, Boracay; Wen Min Heng, 46; and Bao Sang Chan, 50, both residents of Pukin, China but temporarily living at Sitio Diniwid, Brgy. Balabag, Boracay who owns the Hong Kong Sea Food Restaurant in the island-resort.

"The PNP pounced on the Chinese nationals Monday night inside the Hong Kong Sea Food Restaurant in Brgy. Balabag here,” Mendoza told this writer Tuesday.

Recovered from their possession and control were playing cards, cellphone, $ 1,000 and some P150,000 believed to have been used in the illegal gambling.

"Our intelligence received reports that the Chinese nationals are gambling while staying in this resort island so we conducted surveillance before our police arrested them," Mendoza said.

"They will be charged for the violation of Republic Act 9287 otherwise known as the Anti Gambling Act," said Mendoza.

It was learned that the suspects managed to post P20,000 bail bond each for their temporary liberty.