Gambling in wakes banned in Pangasinan

VILLASIS, Philippines  —  Even gambling activities during wakes or vigils for the dead are prohibited in this town after President Duterte ordered the shutdown of all gaming operations of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). 

In a memorandum to barangay chairmen, Maj. Fernando Fernandez Jr., town police chief, cited a directive from headquarters ordering a stop to all gambling activities in his jurisdiction.

“Aside from lotto outlets, Peryahan ng Bayan, small town lottery or STL, Keno and other similar gaming operations, all forms of illegal gambling are prohibited at all times, including during wake,” the memorandum said.

Violators will be dealt with accordingly, Fernandez said.

Meanwhile, close to 900 gaming outlets of the PCSO in Central Luzon have been closed following Duterte’s order.

Among those shut down as of Monday were 633 lotto outlets, 190 small town lottery kiosks, four Peryahan ng Bayan and 63 Keno shops, according to B/Gen. Joel Napoleon Coronel, Central Luzon police director.

“We achieved a 100 percent closure rate of all PCSO gaming outlets and establishments covered by the President’s order,” Coronel said.

“We appreciate the cooperation of the franchise holders as well as the public during the implementation of this directive,” he added. 

Coronel urged the public to report to the police any suspected illegal gambling activities in their communities.       – With Ric Sapnu