Gaming company slams DILG's harassment of employees

MANILA, Philippines - The Meridien Vista Gaming Corp. (MVGC) yesterday decried the alleged harassment by policemen detailed at the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) on its employees.

MVGC spokesperson Raul Banderas cited the Sept. 30 raid by members of DILG-police on their off-fronton station in Maragundon town in Cavite and the arrest of their employees.

He said the DILG personnel, who were assisted by local policemen, also seized various equipment and the personal belongings of their em­ployees.

Banderas said the continuing campaign of the DILG against their workers and stations is in violation of a recent Court of Appeals ruling stopping any law enforcement agency from conducting raids on off-fronton stations.

“We asked them what is their legal basis to conduct the said raid but instead of a polite reaction, the team leader shouted at our employees with invectives and allegations that we are involved in illegal gambling,” Banderas said.

He said the raiding team refused to honor the documents presented by their employees to prove the legality of their operation including the provisional permit to operate from the Games and Amusement Board.

Banderas said the DILG raiding team was led by Chief Inspector Jay Guillermo and its members were identified as Chief Inspector Jerry Empezo, PO2s Jerry Miravilla, Noel Marticio, PO2 Jennifer Aguilar, SPO2 Benny Cepeda, PO2 Eligio Buelva.