Bacolod City – Police chiefs in Negros Occidental have been warned of a “one strike policy and no take policy” in the campaign against illegal gambling, in their respective areas.
This was after PBrig. Gen. Jack Wanky, regional police director of Western Visayas, ordered an investigation on three police non-commissioned officers (PNCOs), two of whom were assigned at the Bacolod City Police Office and one in Aklan, for allegedly receiving protection money from financiers of illegal gambling.
While he did not identify them, Wanky said they are still gathering more evidence against the officers.
The three PNCOs have already been relieved from their respective units and reassigned to the Regional Personnel Holding Accounting Unit (RPHAU) at Camp Martin Delgado in Iloilo, pending further investigation into their alleged links to illegal gambling.
In due time, if proven, we have to impose sanctions, or file a case, against them, Wanky said.
“We’re just sending a signal to other police personnel, that we are doing everything, in putting pressure, especially those involved in illegal activities,” he added.
Under the PNP “one strike and no take policy,” regional, provincial and district directors, chiefs of police stations, community precinct commanders, and other leaders of units who will be found inefficient or wanting in their efforts to eradicate and stop illegal gambling in their respective areas of jurisdiction, shall be relieved from their post.
Wanky said they will also face sanctions.
For now, Wanky said he is satisfied with the anti-illegal gambling operations in Western Visayas. But he stressed the need to further intensify the campaign.
Recent data from the PRO-6 showed that 391 illegal gamblers were arrested in Western VIsayas, and P206,328 in bet money was seized in April alone.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) have partnered to intensify the campaign against illegal gambling activities nationwide by enforcing the “one strike and no-take policy.”
In Negros Occidental, the widespread operations of Small Town Lottery “bookies,” which is not sanctioned by the PCSO, has been the subject of a complaint by a legitimate STL operator in the province.
The bookies or collectors are reported to be part of a syndicate that operates the illegal numbers game in Negros Occidental, using STL draws of the PCSO. (Gilbert Bayoran via The Visayan Daily Star)