(File photo)
MANILA – Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar on Thursday reminded all police offices to intensify the campaign against illegal gambling activities in their respective areas.
This came after two station commanders and seven police community precinct chiefs of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) were relieved from their posts under the "one-strike policy" in addressing illegal gambling.
Eleazar warned that more police officers could be sacked from their posts if they fail to address this issue.
“Magsilbing babala sana ito sa lahat ng ating kapulisan na mas paigtingin pa ang laban kontra illegal gambling lalo ngayong may pandemya. Kasama sa sinumpaang tungkulin at mandato ng bawat kapulisan ang pagsupil sa ilegal na gawain na ito (May this serve as a warning to all our police to intensify the fight against illegal gambling especially now that there is a pandemic. The sworn duty and mandate of every police officer includes the suppression of this illegal activity),” Eleazar said in a statement.
He added that it is the responsibility of every police officer to make sure that there is no illegal gambling of any kind in their area as it also becomes the main cause of other types of crimes.
Eleazar also issued a strong warning against those cops who “protect” those behind illegal gambling activities.
“Mananagot kayo sa akin kapag talagang kayo pa ang nagbibigay ng mga proteksyon sa mga illegal gambling lords na ito. Kasama kayo sa kakasuhan at maaari pa kayong matanggal sa serbisyo (I will hold you accountable if you actually provide protection to these gambling lords. You will be charged and you may face dismissal from the service),” Eleazar said.
Meanwhile, Eleazar lauded QCPD director Brig. Gen. Antonio Yarra for his swift action in implementing the "one-strike policy" on all station and unit commanders who were linked to or have failed to address illegal gambling.
He urged other police offices to enforce the same strict measure against illegal gambling.
Yarra reiterated the ‘one-strike policy’ to all station and unit commanders who were linked or have failed to deliver results against all forms of illegal gambling as ordered by Maj. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr., Metro Manila police chief. (PNA)
