• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) maintained its top spot in the anti-illegal gambling operations among the police units in Western Visayas by arresting 205 violators for the month of April.
Some 45 others were also arrested by the Bacolod City Police Office for the same period.
This was the result of the order issued by PBrig. Gen. Jack Wanky, police regional director of Western Visayas, following reports on the widespread operations of illegal bookies despite the presence of government-sanctioned Small Town Lottery (STL) operations.
Collectors of bookies, which use as results the winning numbers from STL draws of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, were reported to be part of a syndicate that operates the illegal numbers game in Negros Occidental.
Last month, the anti-illegal gambling operations in Western Visayas led to the arrest of 391 violators, which resulted in the confiscation of P206,328 in cash bets.
The Police Regional Office-6 reminded the police chiefs to ensure that charges have been filed against the arrested violators.
The Iloilo City Police Office obtained the highest number of arrested persons in a single operation that happened on April 20, with 29 individuals, among them a policeman and a Bureau of Fire and Protection personnel.
Wanky congratulated the operating units for their relentless efforts against illegal gambling.
Still, he urged police commanders across the region to increase the intensity of the anti-illegall gambling operations.
“Those who operate illegally should be continually the subject of law enforcement operations,” Wanky said. | GB
