Brig. Gen. Michael John Dubria, director of the Police Regional Office-12 (Photo courtesy of PRO-12)
GENERAL SANTOS CITY – Police authorities ordered on Monday the immediate dismantling of “guerrilla-type” illegal gambling activities that have reportedly emerged in some parts of Region 12 (Soccsksargen).
Brig. Gen. Michael John Dubria, director of the Police Regional Office-12, said he directed all chiefs of police in the region to rid communities within their areas of responsibility of any form of illegal gambling activity.
He said all police units are mandated to intensify their intelligence and law enforcement operations, and report regular accomplishments on the matter.
Dubria issued the order in the wake of the reported resurgence of the “last two” illegal numbers game, some of which are allegedly operated by some Small Town Lottery or STL outlets here.
The emergence of the illegal “Peryahan ng Bayan” outlets was also monitored early this year in Tacurong City in Sultan Kudarat.
“This covers all forms of illegal gambling. We will not tolerate these activities and make all those involved answer for them,” he said in an interview.
The police official said he will not hesitate to remove or relieve any chief of police who will not comply with such directive.
He said they have a standing “one-strike policy” for officials of local police units that will fail to curb illegal gambling activities in their areas.
Dubria said he already relieved three chiefs of police, all in Sultan Kudarat province, since last month due to the lack of accomplishments in line with the campaign.
Among the affected officials was Lt. Col. Rey Egos, the former chief of Tacurong City police station, who was replaced by Lt. Col. Joan Maganto.
Tacurong City Mayor Angelo Roncal Montilla earlier expressed disappointment over the relief of Egos, noting that the latter was instrumental in the dismantling of “last two” operations in the area in the guise of the “Peryahan ng Bayan.”
The local government, through the mayor, withdrew its support to the local police due to the controversy.
“We respect the decision of the mayor and rest assured that we will continue to perform our duties and serve the people in the area,” Dubria said. (PNA)
