PRO-7 to form team vs gambling machines

CEBU, Philippines - Police Regional Office-7 will create a special team that would focus on the confiscation of illegal video gaming machines following request of Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama.

Senior Superintendent Rey Lyndon Lawas, chief of staff of PRO-7, said the formation of the team is in response to Rama’s request to have the problem on illegal gambling machines in the city addressed.

Lawas said though they have been implementing measures against illegal gambling machine operations, which he said have “eaten the moral fiber of the society,” and are sometimes the source of problems in families.

“Usa ni sa source sa problema sa pamilya. Ang kwarta adto ipusta sa video karera mamasin modaog pero mas daghan ang pildi,” Lawas said.

While a team of police officers was especially created for illegal gambling machine operations, Lawas assured that their campaign against illegal drugs will not be hampered.

“Ang atong priority is ang campaign sa illegal drugs kay kung atong timbangon, mas bug-at ang epekto sa drugs kompara sa video karera. Pero kung inyong mabantayan, magkuyog ‘ni silang duha,” he said.

The PRO-7 official said more police officers are being sent to the streets to prevent crimes as part of the directive of the Philippine National Police.

He further said that the cooperation between the barangay and the police is one important aspect in the fight against illegal gambling.

“We would like to solicit and encourage barangay officials and the residents, tabangan ni nato. Kung nagtan-aw ta nga nakahatag ni’g problema, kita na mismo ang molikay kay ato ning social responsibility,” Lawas stressed. — (FREEMAN)