Stop illegal gambling, Cagayan Valley cops told

CAMP ADDURU, TUGUEGARAO CITY—The top police official in Cagayan Valley on Thursday ordered police chiefs in five provinces in the region, including Batanes, to stamp out all forms of illegal gambling by Aug. 9 or face immediate relief.

Chief Supt. Robert Quenery also warned operators of small town lottery (STL) in the region to strictly comply with the terms of their gambling permits, as local officials raised concern over the legitimacy of their operations.

Quenery issued the warning following an Aug. 15 deadline imposed by Director General Ronald dela Rosa, chief of the Philippine National Police, on all police chiefs to stamp out illegal gambling in their areas.

There were also reports that illegal numbers games similar to “jueteng” have been carried out in the provinces in the guise of STL.

On Tuesday, Quenery discussed the PNP’s intensified campaign against illegal gambling with the managers of four licensed STL operations in Cagayan, Isabela and Nueva Vizcaya provinces. —MELVIN GASCON