PNP cracks down ‍on illegal gambling anew

MANILA, Philippines — With illegal gambling still prevalent in Luzon and parts of the Visayas, the Philippine National Police is taking on the challenge of ridding the areas of the activity.

But PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac stressed the need for lawmakers and local officials to craft an alternative means of livelihood for persons involved in illegal gambling to make the police campaign more effective.

In an interview aired Sunday over dzBB, Banac said that there were allegations that there were illegal gambling protectors in the ranks of the PNP, which is something that the police leadership is addressing with its policy of relieving officials who fail to act against illegal gambling in their areas.

“There are many allegations that our colleagues are on the take or protectors of illegal gambling. We cannot set aside that possibility that there are some. But the PNP policy is if there is lack of action or inaction … there is a revamp of police officials whose mandate is to stop the illegal activity,” he pointed out.