Cubao residents up in arms over ‘sidewalk casinos’

MANILA, Philippines - Residents of Cubao in Quezon City are protesting the presence of “sidewalk casinos” they blame for the rise in crimes in the area.

These casinos are located along Pinatubo and West Point streets and are reportedly frequented by policemen, law enforcers and members of media to get their payoffs.

National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Carmelo Valmoria vowed yesterday to “stage an operation against the casinos in the coming days.”

A source said the casino operators – Alex on Pinatubo street and Ine on West Point street – have city government permits to run a mini-carnival, but these establishments feature no rides, only tables for bingo and “color” gambling games.

The residents said the Pinatubo street casino operates round the clock while its counterpart on West Point street is open from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m.

“We could not use the sidewalks anymore because a lot of people are patronizing the casino. The areas are jam-packed, especially during paydays,” the residents claimed.

The residents said Superintendent Ramon Pranada was relieved from his post as Cubao police station commander due to the rising cases of crimes brought about by the presence of the casinos.

The casinos were shut down after Superintendent Wilson de los Santos – allegedly a protégé of Valmoria – took over Pranada’s post but they reopened last Tuesday after almost “a week of negotiations,” a source said.