NCRPO sets sights on ‘15-30’ cops

MANILA, Philippines — The days of policemen doubling as gambling lords and casino financiers in Metro Manila are numbered, an official said yesterday.

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Oscar Albayalde ordered an investigation to unmask those he called “15-30” police officers, or those who report only on paydays to collect their salaries.

He said he received reports that these policemen are either gambling lords, casino financiers or working abroad and “share” their salaries with their superior officers.

Albayalde ordered Senior Superintendent Eleazar Matta, NCRPO’s intelligence chief, to identify policemen who moonlight as gambling lords or casino financiers so they would be directed to personally report to him.

He warned “15-30” policemen and their superiors of drastic disciplinary measures should they be found violating the rules and regulations of the Philippine National Police regarding illegal gambling.

“It is not proper that while we are conducting an intensified campaign against illegal gambling, some of our colleagues are moonlighting as gambling lords and casino financiers,” the NCRPO chief said.