PCSO exec lauds cops’ stern drive vs illegal STLs

CEBU, Philippines —  Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager Royina Garma, a former Cebu City police chief, felt elated with cops’ relentless drive against illegal gambling, particularly on numbers games.

Garma said Cebu City police have acted on her call to step up in the fight against illegal numbers games.

“The PNP is cooperative,” she said in yesterday’s press conference.

City cops are working closely with the city government to ensure illegal small town lottery (STL) outlets are dismantled and stopped.

The city started the crackdown on illegal STLs after PCSO recently disclosed losing at least P14 million in daily revenue in Cebu.

Garma earlier noted that STL booths are operating in the cities of Cebu and Mandaue despite the contract of authorized agents already terminated.

An absence of a contract with PCSO means that bets do not get forwarded to the national system or honored by PCSO. This means that the transaction is only between bettors and those running the operation locally. The local operators allegedly mirror the results against the results in the national draw.

Cebu City Police Office said it conducted 19 operations against illegal STL and arrested 19 people from April 30 to May 8, 2021.

Moreover, Garma said PCSO is coordinating with cops in preparation for the opening of two authorized agents in Cebu City and Bohol.

“I am now working and coordinating again with them in preparation doon sa dalawang authorized agents. They will operate in Cebu City and Bohol,” she said. — KQD (FREEMAN)