MANILA – The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) on Wednesday welcomed the Philippine National Police's (PNP) pledge to intensify its crackdown on illegal gambling in the country, as this would help the agency provide better services to the public.
PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. made the commitment to PCSO general manager Melquiades Robles in a meeting on May 6.
Acorda assured Robles that he would strictly enforce the one-strike policy against police commanders who would fail to stop illegal gambling activities in their respective areas of responsibility.
In return, Robles thanked Acorda for his support and commitment to the government's campaign against illegal gambling.
He noted that unhampered illegal gambling operations undermine the agency’s ability to generate higher revenues as the greater portion of their earnings ends up in the hands of illegal gambling operators.
“In turn, those losses deprive poor Filipino citizens of the health care and other benefits that the PCSO provides," Robles said in a statement.
The PCSO is the principal agency tasked with raising and providing funds for the government’s major health programs, medical assistance and services, and charities of national character.
In the same meeting, Robles called on the public to patronize only PCSO-sanctioned games, such as Lotto, Scratch-It, and Small Town Lottery, to help fund the agency’s various social welfare programs and, in the process, possibly win attractive prizes.
Robles said all PCSO games are conducted with the highest level of transparency and accountability.
"The agency is working hard to remain a socially responsible organization that provides assistance to the most vulnerable members of society," he said.
To help the PCSO continue its humanitarian work, the public is advised to report illegal gambling operations to concerned local authorities and PCSO offices.
Acorda and Robles also warned gambling operators to stop engaging in such illegal activities or be severely dealt with under the law. (PNA)
