Hold ‘swertres’ raids in secret, cops told

CEBU, Philippines – Amid calls to pin down illegal swertres operations in Talisay City, Association of Barangay Councils President Raul Cabañero yesterday advised the local police not to “publicize” its actions so efforts can go unhampered.

Cabañero, the barangay captain of Bulacao, said it will be too “lousy” doing an operation when operators already knew the actions to be taken by authorities.

"Dili nato ipropaganda nga modakop ta kay manghipos man na sila (They’d stop for a while if they learn of an impending operation). We should do a surprise operation," he said.

Swertres is a numbers game only the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office is authorized to run.

For now, Cabañero said they are still waiting for a communication from the police regarding plans to hold raids against illegal operators.

Earlier, Superintendent Germano Mallari, chief of Talisay City Police, said they need the cooperation of barangay officials in carrying out the raids.

Mallari said operations could be done with the presence of barangay officials since they know their respective areas better.

Calls to sanitize Talisay of the illegal numbers game became even more urgent after Chief Superintendent Prudencio Bañas, director of Police Regional Office-7, instructed his men to intensify the campaign against these illegal activities.

Last week, Cabañero called for a special meeting with 22 barangay captains and other government officials concerned with the intention of unifying their clamor for the eradication of illegal swertres which is becoming reportedly rampant in the city.

According to Cabañero, illegal swertres booths are brazenly put up along the road in Talisay.

Cabañero estimated that around 150 illegal swertres outlets have been holding business in different parts of the city. (FREEMAN)