The Philippine National Police (PNP) has renewed the crackdown on illegal gambling and warned of serious consequences against its personnel who would be involved in the illegal numbers game.
PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda, Jr. said his order for an intensified campaign against illegal gambling is part of the agreement with the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) to run after all forms of illegal gambling activities across the country.
“We will not tolerate the existence of illegal gambling activities that prey on the most vulnerable members of our society. Together with PCSO, we will deploy all necessary resources and implement stringent measures to put an end to this menace,” said Acorda.
Aside from the crackdown against illegal gambling, Acorda said they will also strictly implement the existing no-take and one-strike policies against its erring personnel connected to illegal gambling.
“The ‘One Strike and No Take Policy’ represents a pivotal element in this comprehensive strategy, ensuring strict enforcement of the Doctrine of Command Responsibility. This resolute stance reflects the PNP’s unwavering determination to eradicate illegal gambling and safeguard the welfare of the Filipino people,” said Acorda.
“The one strike and no take policy represents a zero-tolerance approach, where any negligence or inaction will be met with swift consequences. With this strong stance, the PNP aims to leave no room for leniency in eradicating the illegal gambling menace”, he added.
Part of the campaign against illegal gambling, he said, is the mobilization of its established Regional/Provincial/City Anti-Illegal Gambling Special Operations Task Groups to intensify the implementation of the provisions outlined in the “PNP Anti-Illegal Gambling Campaign Plan: Operation High Roller.”
These specialized units will employ their expertise to gather intelligence, conduct thorough investigations, and execute strategic interventions, fortifying the nation’s fight against illegal gambling.
Acorda said regional directors, provincial directors, district directors, city directors, chiefs of police and Police Community Precinct commanders 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 and be charged administratively under the Doctrine of Command Responsibility.
The applicability of the One-Strike Policy shall be reckoned one month after the assumption of the commanders, chiefs and directors.
For his part, PCSO General Manager Mel Robles emphasized that illegal gambling operations significantly affect the revenue generated by the PCSO, as the majority of earnings end up lining the pockets of illegal gambling operators.
“In turn, those losses deprive poor Filipino citizens of the healthcare and other benefits that the PCSO provides,” GM Robles added, shedding light on the grave consequences of unauthorized gambling activities on vulnerable communities.
He then appealed to the public, urging them to participate only in PCSO-sanctioned games such as Lotto and small-town lottery. By doing so, not only can individuals stand a chance to win exciting prizes, but they can also actively contribute to the funding of the PCSO’s welfare programs.