Ferro to meet PCSO execs on reopening of lotto outlets

CEBU, Philippines —  Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 director Brigadier General Albert Ignatius Ferro is set to meet with the officials of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office in Central Visayas in preparation for the resumption of its operations next month.

Ferro said he wants to make sure that the minimum health standard protocols will be observed when PCSO starts reopening all its outlets on August 4. The police official said face-to-face betting is inevitable when lotto outlets and other betting stations reopen.

According to Ferro, proper social distancing and mandatory wearing of face mask should be strictly enforced.

Ferro said his meeting with the PCSO executives in the region is map out strategies to enforce the health protocols.

“We will be asking the minimum health standard na dapat nilang ipadayon because we should still protect our people na di matakdan ba,” Ferro said.

PCSO chairperson Royima Garma had announced the resumption of its operations next month despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The resumption of PCSO operations is also expected to bring back the illegal numbers game, which was based on lotto results. Ferro said this is also another aspect of the resumption of PCSO operations that the police also need to work on.

  He, however, assured that the campaign against illegal gambling is one of his priorities since he assumed office as regional director of PRO-7.

His first 100 days report says 3,465 people were arrested for illegal gambling. There were 1,385 operations that resulted in the confiscation of around P486,000 bet money. 

“Actually as I have started my stint here, we will not condone sa illegal gambling. In fact, I forgot to mention nga ang anti-illegal gambling nato is also one of my accomplishments,” Ferro said.  FPL (FREEMAN)