A 20-year-old repeat offender was arrested during an anti-illegal gambling operation in Barangay Payatas, Quezon City early Sunday after he was allegedly caught accepting bets for an unauthorized numbers game, according to the Quezon City Police District (QCPD).
In a report released Monday, the QCPD identified the suspect only by his alias “Jayvee,” a resident of Barangay Payatas. He was arrested by operatives of the Payatas Bagong Silangan Police Station 13 as part of the district’s intensified campaign against illegal gambling.
QCPD Director Police Brig. Gen. Randy Glenn Silvio said the operation stemmed from a tip from a concerned citizen regarding an illegal numbers game locally known as “basketball ending” being conducted along Everlasting Street in Barangay Payatas.
Police said officers immediately responded to the report at around 12:19 a.m. on May 11 and allegedly caught the suspect soliciting bets from passersby.
Authorities said operatives asked the suspect to present documents authorizing him to collect bets for the numbers game, but he allegedly failed to provide any valid permit, leading to his arrest.
Recovered from the suspect were P550 in alleged bet money, an ending card, and a black ballpen believed to have been used in the illegal activity.
Investigators later discovered that the suspect had previous records involving alleged violations of the Anti-Child Abuse Law in 2022, the Anti-Illegal Gambling Law in 2023 and 2024, robbery in 2023, and theft cases in 2025.
The suspect is set to face charges for alleged violation of Republic Act No. 9287, which imposes stiffer penalties on illegal numbers games, before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office.
“The QCPD remains relentless in its campaign against all forms of illegal activities that adversely affect public order and community welfare. We encourage the public to continue cooperating with the police by reporting unlawful activities to the nearest police station or through the E911/QC Helpline 122,” Silvio said.