Legazpi City -- Illegal gambling is now in full-swing over the four mainland provinces of the Bicol region.

        The illegal numbers game was is reported rampant in the provinces of Albay, Sorsogon, Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte and the reported brain behind the operations in Albay is a certain Boy Mayor with Charing Magbuhos of San Pablo City and Nora de Leon as the alleged financiers.

        Other alleged gambling bosses are a certain Tony Ang in-charge in Camarines Norte operation, Bong Villafuerte in Camarines Sur and Leony Lim in Sorsogon.

        Salvador D. Flor, professor of Bicol College (BC) and columnist of newspaper Dyaryo Bicol here said that some Albay mayors have joined the fray to raise funds for the upcoming 2007 elections.

        Police Supt. Elyser Bron, PNP regional spokesman told The Bicol Mail that the PNP Bicol is earnestly their campaign against illegal gambling in the region.

        “We’re running against them but full swing operation? I doubt.” Bron told this reporter.

        Bet collectors in Albay specifically in this city are reported roaming around freely particularly in various evacuation centers.

        Leonides Asaytuno, bet collector here told Bicol Mail that even policemen, government employees, local officials and media practitioners were regular bettors of the game of chance.

        Earlier, Naga City Mayor Jesse Robredo asked Supt. Romeo Mapalo, PNP provincial in Camarines Sur to stamp out all forms of unlawful gambling operation in Camarines Sur that spills over Naga City in the collection of bets.

        “I would like to ask the provincial officials of the Philippine National Police headed by Supt. Romeo Mapalo to run after the operators and stamp out the illegal gambling operation in Camarines Sur.” Robredo said.

        Earlier, Bishop emeritus Jose C. Sorra, of the Diocese of Legazpi has been urging government leaders to step up their drive against jueteng.