POLICE officers arrested two suspected Sputnik Gang members during a routine foot patrol in Barangay 165 on Friday afternoon, seizing bet money and an unlicensed firearm.
The suspects, identified by authorities only as alias “Andrew,” 37, and alias “Sanny,” 56, both unemployed residents of Pasay City, were apprehended around 3:15 PM on September 11 along S. De Guzman Street.
Operatives from Pasay City Police Station Sub-Station 6 spotted a group actively playing “cara y cruz,” a popular street gambling game involving coin tosses and cash bets.
As officers moved to intervene, several individuals fled the scene, but police managed to corner and arrest Andrew and Sanny.
Law enforcement recovered three one-peso coin flippers and ₱350 in bet money from the site.
A subsequent search incidental to the arrest revealed an unlicensed .38 caliber revolver loaded with one live round in Andrew’s possession. He was unable to present proper authorization or permits for the weapon.
Officers conducted the physical inventory, marking, and photographing of the evidence directly at the scene in the presence of an elected barangay official.
The suspects were informed of their constitutional rights and underwent medical examination before being turned over to the Investigation and Detective Management Section (IDMS) for E-Inquest proceedings.
Both men face charges for violating Presidential Decree 1602 (Illegal Gambling). Andrew faces an additional charge for violating Republic Act 10591, also known as the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
Southern Police District (SPD) Director PBGen. Rodel A. Pastor commended the officers for their alertness, reaffirming the command’s commitment to maintaining a visible presence on the streets to curb illegal gambling, confiscate loose firearms, and dismantle gang-related activities.
