‘Seek mayors’ support in fight vs illegal gambling’
Police commanders in Western Visayas should enjoin their respective local government executives to support their effort to eradicate illegal gambling, Chief Supt. Samuel Pagdilar Jr., police regional director, said.
Pagdilao’s reminder came as the “one-strike policy” took effect last week.
“Otherwise they will lose the service of their chief of police once the latter is sacked for failure to eradicate the said illegal activities,” he said.
The “one-strike policy” states that when an illegal gambling operation located in the area of responsibility of a police unit is raided or discovered by another law enforcement unit or any Task Force, the head of the police unit in the area shall be immediately relieved without prejudice to the imposition of the appropriate administrative liability against the unit head.
The first “casualty” was Chief Insp. John Paul Tovera of Arevalo Police Station, who was relieved after the operation of the Regional Anti-Illegal Drugs Task Force at Brgy. Sto. Niño Sur resulted to the arrest of 30 persons publicly playing “cara y cruz” locally known as “tumbo.”
Insp. Manny Manuel temporarily replaced Tovera.
Pagdilao commended the move of Iloilo City police director, Senior Supt. Dennis Basngi, of issuing a relief order to Tovera.
The action underscores the strict adherence of Police Regional Office 6 to the “one-strike policy” of PNP Chief Director General Raul Bacalzo against all forms of illegal gambling, he said.
Tovera has been reassigned to the Iloilo City Police Office Administrative Section while investigation of his possible administrative liability is ongoing.*
