Antipolo precinct commander relieved over illegal gambling

A precinct commander in Antipolo City was sacked yesterday for his failure to shut down a mini carnival operating near his police headquarters.

Senior Superintendent Leocadio Santiago, Rizal PNP provincial director, said he will also file administrative charges against Chief Inspector Nicasio Pedraja for "command responsibility."

Santiago ordered Pedraja, commander of Police Community Precinct 3 (PCP3) of the Antipolo City police, to conduct a raid on a mini carnival, which is a stone’s throw away from his headquarters, amid massive complaints by residents, especially parents.

Pedraja pushed through with the raid of the carnival located at Gate 2 of Cogeo Village in Barangay Bagong Nayon last Friday but failed to arrest the carnival’s maintainer, identified only as Jeff by bettors.

What Pedraja brought back to his headquarters were tables used in the games. Residents believe that the raid was not serious and the carnival will resume operations again.

Aside from sacking Pedraja, Santiago also directed PCP3 personnel to explain in writing why they failed to shut down the carnival, which is only some 25 meters away from their headquarters, and has been operating for more than a year now.

Pedraja was replaced by Inspector Alberto Garay, whose last assignment was at the Antipolo City police headquarters.