QC mayor lauds police force for STL crackdown

Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. has lauded the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) for fully support in the city government’s crackdown on the operation of the revived small town lottery (STL) despite threats of administrative and criminal charges against them.

Belmonte said the support of the police has resulted in the closure of the STL drawing center along East Avenue and Magalang streets in Quezon City.

"I am very thankful to the police. Kahit napeligro ang sarili nilang posisyon, they were willing to follow my orders," he said.

Quezon City has been among the areas chosen for the dry run of the legalized version of the numbers game.

Belmonte, however, expressed strong opposition to the operation of the STL in the city, which has been jueteng-free. He said majority of the people are against any form of gambling.

Benchmark, the STL operator in the city, also failed to secure a mayor’s permit.

The QCPD, led by director Chief Superintendent Nicasio Radovan Jr. and police intelligence chief Superintendent Roger James Brillantes, launched a crackdown and arrested and charged more than 60 STL collectors during a recent raid on the STL drawing center.

The police action has resulted in the closure of the STL facility.

Belmonte, however, clarified that the issue against the STL is only confined in Quezon City.

"It has no place in Quezon City. What other LGUs decide on is their own affair," he said.