Police arrested 12 swertres runners and operators two weeks after Bohol PNP Director SSupt. Edgardo Ingking called for an intensified and relentless crackdown against the illegal numbers game.

Reports reaching the Chronicle bared that most financiers have stopped accepting bets during the swertres mid-day draw where their runners are more at risk of being arrested.

Instead, financiers are only operating during the nightly swertres draws based on results from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) lottery.

Even as nightly bets continue, it had been observed that ushers and coordinators of the illegal numbers game are presently more cautious and discreet in their operations.

On the same day, Arthur Palado was arrested in Kawayanan, Mabini town while Benjamin Lumapat was likewise arrested in barangay Tangnan, Tubigon town.

One Carlos Garcia y Polistico was nabbed by police in barangay San Isidro, Talibon town last November 12.

Victor Ramos y Eronico and Romeron Autentico was arrested also in separate police raids in Talibon town.

Police collared one Wilson Saldo last November 9 in Loboc town and another operator in Talibon town was also arrested identified as Warren Auxtero y Martonia.

In Guidulman, one Rodulfo Eyas y Castro, resident of barangay Tabajan, Guindulman was nabbed by joint operatives of the CIDG and Guindulman PNP in his residence.

During the suspect's arrest, his two sons identified as Sherwin and Darwin Eyas were also found in possession of illegal drugs.

Police also apprehended two other swertres operators identified as Eliseo Basio y Alipoyo and Geraldo Quinga y Gamorot in separate operations last November 21.

According to Bohol CIDG team leader C/Insp. Germano Mallari, three of these arrests involved financiers.

All of the suspects are now facing charges for violating RA 9287, the anti-illegal gambling law.

Aside from hunting down swertres operators, Ingking likewise declared an all out war against other forms of illegal gambling activities in the province.

Ingking has designated a provincial task force on illegal gambling headed by Supt. Ernesto Agas.

The Bohol police chief has been holding a series of gatherings in the towns involving different sectors of the society.

Ingking called on local officials to educate their constituents regarding the "evils of illegal gambling and the possibility of curbing the menace thru the involvement of the citizenry."

The police provincial director likewise asked the support of Tagbilaran Bishop Leonardo Medroso during a meeting.

Meanwhile, Napolcom-7 Director Atty Bernardo Calibo Jr. who made an executive visit to the police provincial office, the city police station and 47 police stations in the province last week, expressed support on Ingking's move to weed out illegal gambling.