Barangay officials told to lead against illegal gambling

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Interior and Local Government-7 regional director Pedro Noval yesterday advised barangay officials to strictly implement the anti-gambling laws in their respective barangays, instead of just doing nothing against the illegal activity.

“Mahimo sila nga mag-atubang og kaso nga dereliction of duty kon wala sila’y gihimo sa mga illegal nga sugal sa ilang dapit,” said Noval, reacting to the report that Kamagayan, Cebu City, barangay captain Celestino Avila was seen at a “hantakan” or cointoss game in his barangay.

He encouraged the police to submit a complaint to the DILG if they really saw Avila at a “hantakan” that they raided last week resulting to the arrest of four suspected gamblers, although the barangay captain was not among those arrested.

According to Noval once they will receive the formal complaint the DILG will quickly conduct an inquiry into the matter and will refer it to the Cebu City Council that has the jurisdiction over the elected barangay officials.

Noval explained that the law provides that it is the city council, in the case of Avila, who can investigate him for alleged infractions and recommend for the appropriate sanctions if evidence against him will warrant.

The city council’s recommendation still needs the approval of the city mayor before it can be implemented.

Cebu City Police Office director Patrocinio Comendador said they will submit a report to the DILG about the incident where Avila was reportedly attending the hantak that prompted one of his constituents to report it to the police.

Comendador had said that they received a report from an informer that the barangay captain was hanging about in the area where the illegal gambling was held. But when the policemen arrived, the police did not see him.

Intelligence chief George Ylanan said he cannot believe that Avila did not know about the operation of the illegal gambling in his barangay, saying that Kamagayan is just a small barangay.

“Imposible kaayo kung wala siya kabantay sa mga illegal activities going on sa iya barangay.”

Comendador supported Noval that it should be the barangay officials taking the lead in the campaign against the illegal gambling in the area.   (FREEMAN NEWS)