The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) on Wednesday said it was investigating links between drug lords and illegal gambling operations in the country.
“May mga lalawigan na iisa lang ang nasa likod ng sindikato ng droga at ilegal na sugal,” PCSO general manager Alexander Balutan revealed in an interview with Radyo Inquirer.
He added that the agency already discussed the issue with the Philippine National Police (PNP).
“Network iyan. Kadalasan, sila-sila rin ang may-ari. Alam ni General Bato (Dela Rosa) iyan,” Balutan said.
The PCSO general manager cited the death of the Odictas in Iloilo saying that aside from being involved in drugs, the alleged drug lord Melvin Odicta and his wife Meriam were also suspected of involvement in illegal gambling.
READ: Drug supply in Panay provinces drops after Odictas’ deaths–PDEA
A lone gunman shot and killed the couple on August 29 last year, a few minutes after they disembarked from a ship at the Caticlan port in Malay town in Aklan province. Police believed the attack was related to illegal drugs. CBB