CCPO intensifies drive versus illegal gambling

CEBU, Philippines —  Following Mayor Edgardo Labella’s directive, the Cebu City Police Office has ordered all station commanders to intensify the campaign against illegal gambling.

Police Lt. Col. Wilbert Parilla, deputy city director for operations, warned all station chiefs of possible administrative charges if they are found negligent.

“And if found out na wala gyud sila nag operation, neglectful sila sa ilang operation on illegal numbers game, then possible nga magka administrative case sila or they will be relieved from their post,” said Parilla.

He reminded all commanders that the “one-strike policy” is still in effect. Under the one-strike policy, station commanders who ignore and fail to act on the illegal gambling operations in their areas of jurisdiction will be relieved from their posts immediately.

“With regards to the directives of the mayor, atong city director directed all the chiefs of police to act on the directive of the city mayor with regards to the illegal gambling, specifically on the illegal numbers game,” Parilla said.

He also warned illegal gambling operators, including bettors and ushers of illegal numbers game, that they will be arrested and prosecuted.

Earlier, Labella called on the police to act on the alleged proliferation of illegal gambling following a complaint from Barangay Carreta Captain Marciano Ando. The barangay chief executive complained the operations of small town lottery outlets in his area. He said STL outlets are considered illegal because it did not have the authority from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

PCSO Cebu branch manager Glen Jesus Rada, in a letter addressed to Ando, said that they have not granted a permit for any STL outlet to operate in Cebu City.  

Acting on the complaint, Labella called on CCPO director Col. Josefino Ligan to immediately act on it. — FPL (FREEMAN)