BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines – Playing cards, majhong, bingo and even bug-oy is fun unless there is money involved and it can earn you a trip to jail.
Amid the series of arrests of what some netizens consider to be “innocent” games for the elderly like mahjong and the recreational bug-oy for youngsters and teens, a police executive in the province pointed out that these can become illegal if money is involved
Camp Montelibano spokesoerson Judesses Catalogo pointed out to DNX that under Executive Order No. 13 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte in 2017, the National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation were the two agencies mandated to crack down all forms of illegal gambling in the country.
Catalogo, who had recently been promoted to police captain said people who would be arrested for illegal gambling will be charged for violation of Presidential Decree 1602.
Catalogo said Philippine laws allow people to play leisure games for entertainment but when there is betting of money involved or if it has become one’s source of income, it then becomes illegal.
Other games restricted by government laws are These includes jueteng, masiao, videokarera , book karera, and underground cockfighting as well as other forms of illegal gambling like tong-its, pusoy dos, online gaming with money bet, funfairs without permits, and other numbers game.
Catalogo said penalties for violations of these laws include payment of fines between P1,000 and P6,000 depending on the offense.
