PNP News Releases 2005

PNP INTENSIFIES ANTI-ILLEGAL GAMBLING CAMPAIGN

PNP Chief, Director General Arturo C Lomibao today instructed all PNP Regional Directors to intensify the campaign against all forms of illegal gambling activities.

At the same time, Lomibao directed the PNP Anti-Illegal Gambling Special Operations Task Force (AIG-SOTF) under Chief Superintendent Florante J Baguio to sustain the relentless drive against jueteng and other forms of illegal gambling in the countryside.

In Camp Crame this morning, Lomibao led PNP officials in the symbolic destruction of 125 Video Karera, Fruit Game, and other electronic machines used in illegal gambling.

The National Capital Region Police Office under Police Director Vidal E Querol has reported the confiscation of 242 Video Karera machines in different parts of Metro Manila during the past three months.

From January to June this year, PNP conducted a total of 8,469 anti-illegal gambling operations resulting in the arrest of 8,294 persons including 29 alleged financiers.   Some Php 5.6-million in cash bets were confiscated and 3,382 cases were filed in court against the offenders during the first six months of 2005. The PNP continues to implement the One-Strike Policy on Chief of Police who will fall short of expectation in the nationwide campaign against illegal gambling especially jueteng.

As of last month, 12 Chiefs of Police and Provincial Directors have been removed from post for apparent failure to curb illegal gambling activities in their areas of responsibility.

Among those relieved were the Provincial Directors of Sorsogon and Davao Oriental. Others relieved were the Chiefs of Police of Tiwi, Albay; Tinambac and Bato in Camarines Sur; Sorsogon City ; Meycauayan, Bulacan; Mabalacat, Pampanga; Placer and Cataingan, Masbate ; Talavera, Nueva Ecija; and Pagbilao, Quezon.