Plans for Binondo casino hit

Residents and church officials in the Binondo and Sta. Cruz areas have joined hands to protest the opening of a casino by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) in Binondo, Manila.

Protests and rallies are being prepared to ensure that Pagcor won’t be able to establish any form of gambling in the area, said Sta. Cruz assistant parish priest Joseph Matitu, one of the convenors of the Mamamayan Ayaw sa Sugalan (MASS).

"There’s evil in gambling," Matitu pointed out during his meeting with concerned residents, including Citizens Action Against Crime (CAAC) spokeswoman Teresita Ang-See last Tuesday night.

MASS, which is composed of CAAC, Parish Pastoral Councils in Sta. Cruz, San Lorenzo Ruiz, Binondo-Chinese Parish and the Binondo Fire Volunteers Brigade, is set to finalize their plans to protest the move to put up a casino.

In a position paper, MASS said the location being eyed for a casino in Binondo and Sta. Cruz areas is near schools, chapels and churches.

Under the law, a gambling establishment should be more than 200 meters away from schools and churches.

Matitu said a place for gambling would be a threat to the peaceful and orderly area like Sta. Cruz and Binondo. Apart from a culture of gambling, it could breed other forms of criminality in the area.

At present, Pagcor is operating slot machines on Ronquillo street also in Sta, Cruz, Manila.

Another concerned resident said they opposed the Pagcor plans to put up the casino branch in Sta. Cruz, three years ago. However, the protest failed due to a technicality.

"This time, we will make sure we will win our battle. We will hold vigils, parades, prayer and signature campaigns to ensure our victory against this evil," resident Dante Chua said.