Police to pursue illegal gamblers, even during wakes

CEBU, Philippines — PNP chief Archie Gamboa has given regional police directors one week to solve the problem of illegal gambling and Police Regional Office-7 is up for the challenge, saying it will pursue illegal gambling operators and players even at wakes.

PRO-7 Director Brigadier General Ignatius Ferro has warned illegal gamblers and protectors of the intensified campaign against illegal activities while leaving a stern warning to his men.

“We will remind our people that they should not accept bribes from these illegal gambling operators. And if they are using my name that they are authorized, tell me, and we will arrest them,” Ferro told reporters yesterday.

Ferro further said that to those illegal gamblers “who don’t know him yet, they better behave.”

But while PRO-7 will take heed Camp Crame’s order, Ferro said that he has intensified the campaign against gambling and other illegal activities in the region upon his assumption.

He said he wanted to start a clean slate.

As to the timetable of one week to solve the problem, Ferro commented, “I’m optimistic that we could do it.”

“The problem man gud is it’s a long traditional tablet. We could not have an overnight solution so what we will be doing is we will sustain what our chief PNP has directed us,” he said.

Furthermore, Ferro said that they will not just go after big illegal gambling activities but also small-time gambling such as cockfighting and coin game “hantak,” even gambling during wakes.

Ferro said one set or table of for playing card games or mahjong for leisure purposes is okay. However, it will be a form of illegal gambling if there are more sets or tables involved during wakes.

Last Tuesday, 170 cockfighters were arrested in Sitio Luan-Luan, Barangay Poblacion 1, Carcar City for alleged violation of PD 1602 that prohibits any cockfighting arena to operate during weekdays, unless on special holidays or fiesta celebrations.

Ferro said he will review the provisions of the law to see which forms of gambling are allowed and which are not. (FREEMAN)