PNP chief to regional directors: Stop illegal gambling within 15 days

Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Ronald Dela Rosa. (PNA photo)

MANILA, July 31 — Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Ronald Dela Rosa imposed an ultimatum to police regional directors to eliminate illegal gambling in their areas within 15 days.

In a press briefing in Camp Crame on Monday, the PNP chief warned police regional and provincial directors who will fail to meet the deadline that they can be removed from service.

The PNP chief also authorized Provincial directors to remove chiefs of police who do not take appropriate action against illegal gambling.

The directive comes after the PNP drew criticism from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) stating that it is lax in implementing the anti-gambling campaign.

In response, Dela Rosa said the police should not be blamed for the failure of the state-sanctioned small town lottery (STL) to suppress illegal gambling activities.

“It is very sad part sa mga pulis na ito namang STL operators, pag hinuli namin sa na nagbu-bookies, sasabihin nila na legal ‘yan, amin ‘yan. We will go all out, matira matibay, uubusin ko lahat kayo dahil ayaw kong lagi na lang PNP binubuntunan ng sisi.” he stressed.

The PNP chief also urged STL operators to cleanse their own ranks in order to curb those involved in illegal gambling activities particularly bookies, jueteng and swetres, among others.

“I am appealing, I want to take this opportunity to authorized STL operators na magpakatotoo tayo, pag kami may nahuli d’yan na mga ‘bookies’ at mga tao nyo at sasaluhin ninyo, ibang usapan na ‘yan,” Dela Rosa said.