Intel personnel, mobile group tapped in fight vs illegal gambling
In the midst of bustling political developments, Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 regional director Chief Supt. Wilfredo Dulay Sr. has launched a task force that would undertake a more aggressive campaign against the illegal numbers game “jueteng” and other forms of illegal gambling in Western Visayas.
The Anti-Illegal Gambling Special Operation Task Force (AIGSOTF) will be headed by Dulay himself.
The Task Force will have as operating arms personnel from the Regional Intelligence Division and personnel from the 6th Regional Mobile Group.
Similar task forces will also be created down the city and provincial levels all over the region.
As provided in its Implementation Plan, the AIGSOTF shall conduct general law enforcement operations against illegal numbers game called “jueteng” and other forms of illegal gambling in coordination with the local government units (LGUs).
The Task Force shall also collect, process and analyze information on illegal gambling activities and submit monthly reports to the Chief, PNP; conduct intelligence operations through the utilization of informants and other resources; conduct counter-intelligence to identify PNP personnel and other government officials/employees involved in illegal gambling activities and initiate the filing of charges for the same; and, to preserve all seized and confiscated illegal gambling paraphernalia for presentation as evidence in court.
To note, PRO 6 records show that 85 persons were arrested for violation of Presidential Decree 1602 prescribing stiffer penalties on illegal gambling as amended by RA 9287 in its 37 anti-illegal gambling operations since last month.
Record shows that arrested persons were involved in Cara y Cruz, Daily Double, Tong-its, First or Last Two and Small Town Lottery (STL). STL though legalized in Iloilo City is prohibited in the province and other parts of the region.
Negros Police Provincial Office topped with 40 arrested persons in its 12 anti-gambling operations. It is followed by Bacolod City Police Office with 20 arrested persons, Iloilo Police Provincial Office with 12 arrested persons. The Guimaras Police Provincial Office arrested 4 persons, Iloilo City Police Office and Aklan and Antique Police Provincial Offices arrested 2 persons each; and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit 6 arrested 3 persons.
Meanwhile, Senior Supt. Wesley Barayuga, chief of the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO), denied reports that there is a resurgence of illegal numbers game in the city.
Barayuga said what exists in the city is the STL which is legal. (with a report from PIA-6)