400 gambling machines destroyed

CEBU, Philippines - Over 400 illegal gambling machines were destroyed by the police during a ceremony yesterday morning at the Cebu Provincial Police Office grounds.

The machines were confiscated in separate operations conducted by the police offices of Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue, Cebu City, Cebu Province and the police regional office headquarters.

Most of the machines were moli-moli and video karera machines.

Police Regional Office-7 director Marcelo Garbo Jr., who spoke during the ceremony, said he will not be satisfied until illegal gambling in the entire region is eradicated.

“As of now ang illegal gambling sa region mataas pa rin.  We cannot say satisfied ako unless there is zero gambling pero ‘yung interest ng PNP to stop illegal gambling won’t stop,” Garbo said.

Garbo explained that if the PNP is busy with securing some important celebration, illegal gambling increases. However, they are formulating plans to answer the problem like dispersing more policemen in the field.

CPPO director Patrocinio Comendador said the number of illegal gambling machines confiscated shows that the PNP is serious in the campaign to eradicate illegal gambling.

He said CPPO is focusing on the illegal numbers game masiao.

“Mao na among gitutukan pero minimal na hinuon karon,” Comendador said.

Just recently, two policemen assigned in Negros Oriental were relieved from their posts after the regional headquarters found that they allowed illegal gambling operators to operate in the area.

In another development, 14 policemen were given the PNP Commendation Medal for exemplary performance of their respective duties against all forms of illegal gambling.

Those who were awarded were Supt. Ro-dolfo Albotra Jr., Chief Insp. Jason Mangaron, Chief Insp. Noel Lo-mente, Senior Insp. Rogelio Pineda Jr., Sr. Insp. Joeson Parallag, Insp. Romeo Sentinta Jr., Insp. Gomersendo Mandawe, SPO1 Francis Allen Villamor, SPO1 Raymundo Supatan, PO3 Ricafort Sucgang, PO2 Joseph Villamor, PO2 Erwin Suson, PO1 Julius Batac and PO1 Junrey Ypil.

The award was based on high professionalism, initiative and efficiency in the performance of their assigned tasks.

Meanwhile, the PRO-7 Regional Intelligence Division is currently monitoring over 100 active financiers of illegal numbers games masiao and swertres in the region, 78 of whom are in Cebu.

RID acting chief Pablo Labra II, yesterday presented figures on the prevalence of masiao and swertres in the region including the areas that have been cleared from these.

From the 120 masiao and swertres financiers that RID 7 earlier listed, Labra disclosed that they are now trying to pin down 108 more financiers and 313 operators out of the 372 that they earlier listed.

Labra showed further that of the 108 financiers, 68 of them are in Cebu Province; 10 in Cebu City and 16 in Negros Oriental Province.

The RID 7 chief also said illegal gambling is present in 111 towns and 47 barangays in Central Visayas.  In Cebu City alone, 18 barangays are still affected, mostly coastal and downtown barangays, said Labra.

Apart from strengthening their proactive campaign against illegal gambling, Labra said they will intensify their counterintelligence operations to identify police personnel who are possible protectors of illegal numbers game operators.

Garbo said the police will not stop until Central Visayas is free from illegal gambling activities.  — (FREEMAN)