PNP steps up campaign vs illegal gambling

Philippine National Police chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. FILE PHOTO

The Philippine National Police has renewed its intensified crackdown on the illegal numbers game, warning its officers of serious consequences should they fail to stop illegal gambling activities in their areas.

PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. said police commanders who will be found “inefficient or wanting in their efforts” to eradicate illegal gambling in their respective areas of jurisdiction will be relieved from their post and be administratively charged for command responsibility.

He said the policy was applicable to officials—from regional directors down to precinct commanders—one month after their assumption of office.

“The one-strike and no-take policy represents a zero-tolerance approach, where any negligence or inaction will be met with swift consequences. With this strong stance, the PNP aims to leave no room for leniency in eradicating the illegal gambling menace,” Acorda said in a statement on Thursday.

Alliance with PCSO

The warning came after Acorda inked an “alliance” to intensify the national campaign against all forms of illegal gambling activities across the country with the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

Recognizing the detrimental impact of these illegal activities that erode public morals, PCSO General Manager Mel Robles said illegal gambling operations significantly affect the revenue generated by the PCSO, as the majority of earnings end up lining the pockets of illegal gambling operators.

“In turn, those losses deprive poor Filipino citizens of the health care and other benefits that the PCSO provides,” he added.

Robles urged the public to patronize only PCSO-sanctioned games such as lotto and Small Town Lottery.

By doing so, not only can individuals have a chance to win prize money, [but] they can also actively contribute to the funding of the PCSO’s welfare programs.

“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.

Under Acorda’s leadership, the PNP is mobilizing its established anti-illegal gambling special operations task groups in regions, provinces and cities and municipalities to intensify the implementation of Operation High Roller,” the PNP’s antigambling campaign plan.

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