An 80-year-old man is now facing charges after authorities caught him operating an illegal numbers game in Danao City, Cebu. The arrest highlights the ongoing crackdown on unauthorized gambling activities in local communities.
Senior Citizen Caught in Police Sting
Danao City Police Station operatives apprehended Rogelio Tito Sabas, 80 years old, on Saturday afternoon, January 17, 2026. The arrest occurred around 4:30 PM in Purok 1, Barangay Tuburan Sur, Danao City. Sabas was acting as an usher, or collector, for the illegal swertres numbers game.
Evidence and Motive Revealed
Police had been monitoring the elderly man prior to the arrest due to his blatant and open solicitation of numbers for the illegal swertres operation in the area. The arrest was made following a report that a person named "Hely" was running the illegal gambling activity at the location.
Authorities confiscated several items as evidence from Sabas, including:
- P50 and P120 in cash proceeds from the swertres sales.
- A ball pen used for writing.
- Swertres stubs or bet slips.
During the investigation, police determined that Lolo Rogelio had been working as an usher for the illegal game for a considerable time. He reportedly engaged in this activity to earn a percentage or commission to support his family.
Legal Consequences for Illegal Gambling
The suspect has been formally charged with a violation of Republic Act 9287, also known as the Illegal Gambling law. This law imposes penalties on individuals involved in organizing, managing, or assisting in unauthorized games of chance.
This incident serves as a reminder of the persistent issue of illegal numbers games in some Philippine neighborhoods and the legal risks involved, regardless of the perpetrator's age or personal circumstances.
