PRO6 looking into link of police, gov’t officials to illegal gambling
The Police Regional Office 6 has deployed a counter-intelligence team to nail down the operators and protectors of illegal gambling operations in Western Visayas, including police personnel and local government officials.
Chief Supt. Samuel Pagdilao Jr., police regional director, said the number of operators identified by the PRO6 is still the same, but he has yet to verify additional reports that a local official in the fourth district of Iloilo is listed as an illegal gambling operator.
The said official has a ranking police official as protector, reports said.
“We’re waiting for the results of our counter-intelligence. The information they have are based on the previous intelligence reports of past commanders,” he said.
Pagdilao, however, admitted he couldn’t declare that he could stop illegal gambling in the region.
“Gambling has endured since time immemorial. On my part, I can’t say with absolute certainty that I would be able to stop illegal gambling when all my predecessors weren’t able to stop it,” he said.
Pagdilao added: “What I’m saying is I would try my best to really carry out a serious effort against illegal gambling because this is our mandate.”
PRO6 data show that from August 1 to 13, 2010, police conducted 23 anti-illegal gambling operations that led to the arrest of 29 persons.
Ten operations were conducted in Iloilo City while in Bacolod City, eight; Negros Occidental and Guimaras, two; and Capiz, one.
The provinces of Aklan, Antique, and Iloilo posted no arrests for the said period.
Pagdilao said the PRO6 will conduct a monthly assessment to know the directions they are taking against illegal gambling.*
