(File photo)
MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) assured tough sanctions for police officials who are not taking action on illegal gambling operations.
PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. had ordered an "intensified crackdown" against illegal gambling, backed by the one-strike and no-take policy.
“In the case of one strike policy, all illegal gambling whether it's jueteng (number games), bookies, video karera, everything. The policy of the NHQ (National Headquarters) is for those commanders who are not doing their job at the local level, to continue any type of games of illegal gambling and if it is validated by our intelligence operatives, appropriate police action had been down by the regional or national level, immediately the local commanders will be relieved,” PNP director for operations Brig. Gen. Leo Francisco told reporters in a press briefing at Camp Crame on Monday.
Francisco said all forms of gambling should be dealt with.
“Basically it's not about what type of gambling. Basta pare-parehas sila, ‘yung (its just the same of) proliferation of the illegal gambling sa mga sinasabi ninyong mga (those reported in the) regional offices, we will validate it and we will see to it that appropriate police action will be done,” he added.
Police, regional, provincial, and district directors; chiefs of police stations and community precinct commanders; and other leaders of units who will be found inefficient or wanting in their efforts to eradicate and stop illegal gambling in their respective areas of jurisdiction shall be relieved from their post.
They will also be charged administratively under the doctrine of command responsibility.
Acorda's latest directive came after the PNP and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) forged an alliance to intensify the national campaign against all forms of illegal gambling.
The PNP is mobilizing its Regional/Provincial/City Anti-Illegal Gambling Special Operations Task Groups to intensify the implementation of the provisions outlined in PNP MC NO. 2017-022, or the "PNP Anti-Illegal Gambling Campaign Plan: Operation High Roller."
The specialized units will employ their expertise to gather intelligence, conduct thorough investigations, and execute strategic interventions, fortifying the nation's fight against illegal gambling.
"We will not tolerate the existence of illegal gambling activities that prey on the most vulnerable members of our society. Together with PCSO, we will deploy all necessary resources and implement stringent measures to put an end to this menace,” Acorda said in a previous statement. (PNA)
