CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella has ordered the dismantling of illegal Small Town Lottery outlets in the city, especially those located on sidewalks, as part of an intensified crackdown on such illegitimate operations.
Labella said he already instructed the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) to coordinate with the City Hall’s Prevention Restoration Order Beautification and Enhancement (PROBE) team for the demolition of these illegal STLs which are considered also as illegal structures.
“I will have them coordinate with (PROBE head) Raquel Arce because if there are illegal structures selling illegal gambling tickets, then of course, they are not only a nuisance but are also illegal equipment so they should be removed,” Labella told reporters in a phone conference yesterday.
This way, Labella added, the illegal operators will be discouraged to attempt to operate again.
Labella said there is a need to close illegal STLs and other forms of illegal gambling in the city because aside from being a nuisance, these could also affect minors.
“I hope that it has not reached the minors. They should be protected, because of the very minimum amount and the winning price is relatively much higher than the bet... It’s really attractive even to minors, so it’s not only that they are constructing illegal structures,” said Labella.
Arce, for her part, said PROBE team has enough manpower for the operation.
She urged the STL operators, particularly those located on the sidewalks, to start removing their structures, otherwise, her time will be left without a choice but to remove them.
Arce clarified that they can only demolish “illegal” STL structures, adding that those situated in private areas are no longer covered in their jurisdiction.
She likewise urged the public to help in the campaign against these illegal structures by reporting violators to PROBE.
Once they receive the report, they will verify it and take proper action.
Labella met with Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Royina Garma and discussed the measures to be implemented in solving the problem on a local scale.
“We must combat illegal small town lottery (STL) in Cebu City because the government is being cheated of its rightful shares nga angay unta magamit alang sa pag-deliver og basic services sa katawhan, ilabina karong pandemya,” he said.
Since last month, Labella said the CCPO has been submitting to his office a weekly status report regarding illegal STL, and it was found out that the city is losing millions.
He said as chairman of the Regional Peace and Order Council 7 (RPOC-7), he cannot allow this illegal activity to continue. — JMD (FREEMAN)