Six Fernandino beneficiaries of Social Amelioration Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) were arrested for gambling and drinking liquor in separate operations by the City of San Fernando Police.
The illegal gambling operation was conducted in Northville, Barangay Calulut on April 27, 2020 where three SAP beneficiaries, along with another resident, were caught playing “tong its.”
According to Police Lieutenant Colonel Paul Gamido, these individuals violated Republic Act 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, and Presidential Decree 1602 which imposes penalties for illegal gambling.
Meanwhile, three other SAP beneficiaries of caught drinking liquor were also arrested by the police in an operation at Sitio Pangulo in Barangay Del Carmen.
In a report released by the police, Bantay Bayan members of Del Carmen caught the three in a drinking session while they were conducting “Patrolya ng Bayan” operations.
This was just a few hours after the distribution of the cash assistance on April 30, 2020. The three violated Republic Act 11332 or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern act, Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code, and the local liquor ban. The arrested individuals are now in police custody.
The SAP is a cash emergency subsidy program of the DSWD which prioritizes Filipino families greatly affected by the enhance community quarantine.
The DSWD earlier advised that the cash assistance should only be used for essential goods for the family and should not be used for all types of gambling, buying alcoholic beverages and cigarettes, or any non-essential items.
The DSWD started distributing the SAP cash assistance in the City of San Fernando on April 12, 2020.
The distribution activities in Barangay Calulut were held on April 12, 14, 15, 21, and 22 while Barangay Del Carmen had their payout on April 30.