Okada backs PRRD order for cops to keep off casinos

“Okada Manila shares President Duterte’s concerns. Management will cooperate and coordinate with the proper authorities to address this matter,” Okada said in a press statement. (File Photo: Okada Website)

MANILA — Hotel and casino Okada Manila vowed to cooperate with the government in addressing alleged crimes taking place within its premises after President Rodrigo R. Duterte described it as “crawling with usurers and kidnappers.”

“Okada Manila shares President Duterte’s concerns. Management will cooperate and coordinate with the proper authorities to address this matter,” Okada said in a press statement.

“The safety and welfare of our guests will always be our utmost priority,” it added.

On Thursday (Nov. 22), Duterte described Okada, one of the hotels located in the Entertainment City gaming strip, as a place where “low-life” members of the society stay.

He warned police personnel that he would assign Army Rangers to patrol Roxas Boulevard in Manila if they do not stop engaging in gambling activities in the hotel.

“Yung Okada diyan. I’d like to announce, lahat kayong mga pulis, umalis kayo diyan (That Okada. I’d like to announce, all cops, stay away from there),” Duterte said in his speech during the inauguration of the Cavite Gateway Terminal, the country’s first container barge port, in Tanza, Cavite.

“One more policeman there and incident and I will call the Rangers to come down and patrol the whole of Dewey (Roxas) Boulevard,” he said. Duterte said he would dismiss cops, either in uniform or civilian, who violate his order. The President has repeatedly voiced out his dislike for gambling, said he would not allow the construction of new casinos in the country.

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said that it will strictly enforce its ban on cops setting foot in casinos, gambling establishments and places of ill-repute.

Chief Supt. Benigno Durana, PNP spokesperson, said that the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials under Republic Act No.

6719 prescribes a set of norms that promote a high standard of ethics in public service.

Durana also cited Presidential Decrees 1067-B and 1869 which forbids government officials, members of uniformed services, students and minors from gambling in casinos.

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea also signed Memorandum Circular 6 which restated the ban.