‘Videokarera’ a ‘smash’ in Manila

It was a smash, literally.

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim on Monday took a mallet to several “videokarera” (virtual horse racing) machines at the Gat Andres Bonifacio shrine near city hall.

The 15 machines were seized last month by members of the Manila City Hall Public Assistance (Chapa) police from the areas of Tondo, Pandacan, Sampaloc and Binondo.

“This [videokarera machine] is one thing that distracts the youth from their studies. The confiscation of the machines is an important accomplishment in our campaign against criminality,” Lim said.

Chapa head Chief Insp. Mar Reyes said the machines had to be destroyed because these could still be recycled should these be left intact.

Appropriate charges have been filed against the operators and owners of the confiscated units, he added. Jaymee T. Gamil with Ann Clariz Yap, trainee