LEGAZPI CITY -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) in Bicol arrested a total of 2,701 individuals in various anti-illegal gambling operations conducted from January to September this year, the Police Regional Office 5 (PRO5) said.
PNP-Bicol spokesperson Chief Insp. Maria Luisa Calubaquib said in an interview on Monday that the operations resulted in 787 cases filed in court and netted PHP404,846 in total bet money.
"Police Regional Office 5 regional director Chief Supt. Atty Arnel Escobal strides up in pursuit of the campaign and will continue to intensify the conduct of anti-illegal gambling operations in the region," she said.
Data obtained showed that Albay recorded 493; Camarines Norte-384; Camarines Sur-748; Catanduanes-140; Masbate-301; Sorsogon-578; and Naga City-57.
"The existence of illegal gambling activities has been considered as a social menace for it has become a means for corruption and an influential factor for individual’s disregard of the value of dignified work, perseverance and thrift," Calubaquib noted.
She said PRO5 is calling for the continuous cooperation and support of the community as well as the collaboration of the different stakeholders in curbing illegal gambling. (PNA)
