Illegal gambling violators down in Cebu Province

CEBU, Philippines — After the cops have collaborated with the authorized STL operators, the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) has seen a decrease in the number of arrested persons, said Police Colonel Roderick Mariano.

The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), for their part, has arrested a total of 55 ushers in their 37 anti-illegal gambling campaign operations in just three days.

However, in the Cebu provinces where the STL suspension has long been lifted, Mariano said they have arrested lesser individuals as a result of their collaboration with the authorized operators, who voluntarily reports the illegal operators to the police.

“Dito sa Cebu province na meron tayong mga authorized na STL operators, at tayoy nakikipag-collaborate sa kanila together with the PCSO na lahat ng mga illegal sa respective cities and municipalities na tinuturo nila at itoy makikita natin sa mga conducted na operations ng ating mga kapulisan at ng ating mga naaresto sa illegal gambling,” Mariano said.

Aside from their focus on the campaign against illegal drugs, the PRO-7 head has directed all the police chiefs to intensify as well their operations against illegal gambling.

“Sa Simula pa lang ng pag-upo ng ating regional director, pinagpapatuloy natin ang ating kampanya lalong-lalo na sa illegal na droga at sa illegal gambling,” Mariano said.

He added that in collaboration with the PCSO and the authorized STL operators, they were able to arrest and identify those STL outlets who operate illegally.

He added the rising number of the collection of STL itself is an indication that the arrest of unauthorized operators in the province, along with their accomplices, was successful.

“Ibig-sabibin tama ang ating ginagawa pag-coordinate sa kanila dahil mas alam nila sa baba kung sino yung nag illegal,” he said.

At present, Mariano said that they are yet to conclude that the illegal gambling operators of the Cebu Province has been fully eliminated since there still few who operates discreetly.

“Merong mga pa tago-tago pero nahuhuli din natin sila,” he said.

Mariano also encouraged the public to patronize only the authorized operators.

“Alam naman natin na yong ating mga publiko na ang sugal kasi ay (game) of chance, hindi naman nagkulang ang kapulisan na sabihan through our local government unit na sabihin na instead na tumaya sa mga illegal na bookies, doon na sila sa mga authorized na STL outlets natin,” Mariano said. (FREEMAN)