STA. Maria, Bulacan -- Joint elements of Sta. Maria police and Provincial Special Operation Group (PSOG) arrested seven persons engaged in illegal gambling on Calderon St., Bgy. Poblacion the other day.

Supt. Fernando Mendez Jr., Bulacan provincial director, identified seven of those arrested as Marco Antonio, 25; Ronaldo Mendoza, 30; Jun Lutu, 23; Christopher Mateo, 28; Rosano Mateo, 21; Michael Anonuevo, 27 and Carlo Cruz, 27.

Recovered from the suspects were five pieces of ball pen, a ledger, two calculators, stapler and P5,135 in cash.

The arrested persons are presently under the custody of the provincial police office.

Meanwhile, Mendez added the San Ildefonso police and PSOG also apprehended five persons in another anti-gambling operation in Bgy. Poblacion Thursday.

They were identified as Lester Sevilla, 21; Jay Sison; Enrique Alavarez, 37; William Delos Santos, 31; Richard Casimiro, 26 and Danilo Sevilla.

Seized from their possessions were P3,744 cash, papelitos with different numerical combinations.

A criminal complaint of PD 1602 as amended by RA 9287 was filed against the suspects before the Office of the Provincial Prosecution in Malolos City.