PNP orders lifestyle check on cop caught in casino

MANILA, Philippines — The Internal Affairs Service (IAS) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) has ordered a lifestyle check on the police officer who was arrested while gambling at a casino in Parañaque City on Tuesday.

IAS Inspector General Alfegar Triambulo ordered the probe on the finances of Superintendent Adrian Antonio, PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent John Bulalacao said yesterday.

Probers will look into Antonio's statements of assets and liabilities (SALNs) to determine whether his lifestyle is commensurate to his salary.

”This is part of the government's policy against corruption,” Bulalacao said in a statement.

The result of of the probe will be used as evidence in the criminal and administrative charges against Antonio, he added.

Antonio was relieved from his post as administrative officer of the PNP Directorate for Operations after his arrest at the City of Dreams Resort and Casino.

Police said Antonio figured in an altercation with another casino player, who demanded payment for his P150,000 debt.

The police official's immediate superior, Director Camilo Pancratius Cascolan, is saddened that a hard-working officer like Antonio has a gambling problem.

“We do not condemn him. It just so happened that he made the risk of going to the casino,” Cascolan told reporters in an ambush interview.

President Duterte issued Memorandum Circular 06-2016 banning government personnel from playing at casinos.

Cascolan said he recruited Antonio from Davao to the PNP headquarters last year because of the latter’s great track record in the police service and for always being keen on details when crafting reports.

“He is very hard-working, very intelligent,” he said. “Hopefully we can change his ways, that we  can rehabilitate Adrian.”

Cascolan hopes that Antonio's track record as an officer would be a mitigating factor in the cases that would be filed against him.

For his part, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Oscar Albayalde said they are monitoring more police officers and employees from other government agencies who are hooked on illegal gambling.

He did not give a figure on the number of government workers who have been going to casinos.

“I don't have a specific number but you count them with your fingers,” Albayalde said in an interview with reporters.

Albayalde said the public should expect more arrests as they have zero tolerance for such activities.

He advised police officials who are into gambling to leave the service if they want to continue their habit.

“We also have vices but if you are in the government service, you are a public servant  and there are certain restrictions,” Albayalde said.