At least 214 illegal gambling machines worth at least P2.4 million were destroyed yesterday at the Cebu City police office.
The moli-moli and video karera machines were confiscated from three months of operations against illegal gambling in Cebu City.
“This is the biggest haul since I assumed office,” Senior Supt. Melvin Buenafe, Cebu City Police Office chief said.
hammer
Buenafe, who used a hammer to start the destruction of the moli-moli and video karera machines, said that the destruction of the machines was a signal to illegal gambling operators that the police was serious in its campaign against illegal gambling operations in the city.
Earlier, Chief Supt. Marcelo Garbo, chief of Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) ordered his men to seriously achieve his desire for Cetral Visayas to be a gambling-free region.
Garbo’s order was backed by the regional policemen conducting surprise raids in different towns and cities of Cebu.
The raids led to the relief of several station commanders for their failure to curb illegal gambling in the city.
masiao bust
The latest police operation against illegal gambling in Cebu City led to the arrest of two collectors and the filing of an illegal gambling case against Wilfredo Borres Jr., whom police tagged as the masiao operator in the last Thursday’s raid inbarangay Busay, Cebu City.
Police also confiscated P133,000 cash believed to be proceeds in the illegal numbers game. Masiao paraphernalia were also confiscated during the raid.
relieve
Garbo has already relieved several station commanders for their failure to curb illegal gambling in their areas.
Buenafe said since police staged a rally against illegal gambling three weeks ago, they received seven reports about the illegal trade.
Buenafe said with the public educated about illegal gambling and their trust in police had increased, the public had since given information on the illegal gambling operations in their communities.
commendations
Buenafe first gave commendations to heads of government agencies who participated in the security preparations for the San Pedro Calungsod National Thanksgiving Mass last Nov. 30 before they destroyed the illegal gambling machines./Correspondent Chito O. Aragon