• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Police chiefs in Negros Occidental have been warned of the “one strike policy and no take policy” in the campaign against illegal gambling.
The warning was issued by PBrig. Gen. Jack Wanky, police regional director of Western Visayas, on Friday (May 17) as he ordered an investigation on three police non-commissioned officers (PNCOs), two of whom assigned in Bacolod City and one in Aklan, for allegedly receiving protection money from financiers of illegal gambling.
While he did not identify them, Wanky said they are gathering more evidence against the three policemen.
The three PNCOs have already been relieved from their respective units, and reassigned to the Regional Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit at Camp Martin Delgado in Iloilo City, pending further investigation of their alleged links to illegal gambling.
If proven, the Police Regional Office-6 (PRO-6) will have to impose sanctions or file a case against them, Wanky said.
“We’re just sending a signal to other police personnel that we are doing everything, in putting pressure, especially on those involved in illegal activities,” he added.
Under the Philippine National Police (PNP) “one strike and no take policy”, regional, provincial and district directors, chiefs of police stations, community precinct commanders and other leaders of units 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.
Wanky said they will also face sanctions.
For now, Wanky said he is satisfied with the anti-illegal gambling operations in Western Visayas, but he stressed the need to further intensify the campaign.
Recent data from the PRO-6 showed that 391 illegal gamblers were arrested in Western Visayas, and P206,328 in bet money was seized in April alone.
The PNP and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office have partnered to intensify the campaign against illegal gambling activities nationwide by enforcing the “one strike and no-take policy.” | GB
