• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Police personnel in Western Visayas have been repeatedly reminded of the “no-take policy” in the campaign against illegal gambling, which prohibits all PNP members from taking any money from illegal gambling operations, as they would face stiffer sanctions.
PBrig. Gen. Jack Wanky, regional police director of Western Visayas, recalled that when he assumed office, he was informed by his predecessor on widespread illegal gambling, despite the presence of government-sanctioned small-town lottery (STL) operations.
Wanky ordered all city and provincial directors to wipe out illegal gambling, especially the “bookies,” through the formation of a task group focused on the campaign, noting that STL operators have been complaining about it.
Four illegal Small Town Lottery (STL) bookies were recently arrested in cities of Victorias, Escalante, Sagay, and Candoni, Negros Occidental, resulting in the confiscation of P3,958 in cash bets and tally sheets.
The illegal numbers game uses winning numbers from STL draws of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).
The bookies or collectors were reported to be part of a syndicate that operates the illegal numbers game in Negros Occidental, using STL.
Eight other suspects involved in illegal gambling operations were also arrested by the police in La Castellana, Calatrava, Himamaylan City, Bago City and La Carlota, and seizure of P1,146 in illegal gambling bets, according to reports of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office.
Police chiefs were also reminded to ensure that charges are filed against the arrested illegal gambling violators.
Wanky earlier admitted that individuals suspected of having links to illegal gambling, some of whom he acknowledged were even his friends, have sought meetings with him.
He however stressed that they will not receive any special treatment, as he asserted a zero-tolerance policy against illegal gambling in the region.*
