Cebu - The Naga City police are now in hot water following the statement of its chief, Supt. Renato Malazarte, that he learned of the presence of illegal gambling operation in his jurisdiction only recently.
In what seemed to be a case of bad luck, Malazarte made the statement to no less than Cebu Provincial Police Director Carmelo Valmoria last Tuesday after the latter informed him that seven video karera and three “moli-moli” machines were seized from two barangays in Naga City.
Valmoria said he will place the Naga City police under investigation.
Valmoria explained that they did not inform the Naga City police of the joint raid conducted in barangays Inayagan and Tuyan because the information CPPO got was very confidential.
Aside from the gambling machines, CPPO also arrested three men who were playing with the machines during the raid.
Yesterday, Valmoria also hinted that Malazarte might be counting his days as Naga police chief, considering persistent rumors that the police have been protecting illegal gambling operations in the city. Malazarte has been police chief for the past seven years.
“We will know the answer in a few days,” Valmoria told reporters.
Also yesterday, Valmoria thanked the residents of Naga City for cooperating with CPPO in rounding up the video karera and “moli-moli” machines.
And while the caretakers of the machines were not present during the raid, the police said they will not be exonerated from charges, especially that they have already been identified.
“Bisag wala pa nadakpan ang mga caretaker sa mga video karera, pasaka-an gihapon ni namo sila og kaso kay na identify man sila. Apil nasad ning nanuwa unya naabtan namo sa akto. Ug ang menor de edad mapasakaan namo og kaso unya i-custody na sa DSWD,” said SPO1 Kenneth Abella.
Meanwhile, the same time the raid was conducted in Naga City last Tuesday, members of the Cebu City police also raided three houses along Junquera Street in barangay Kamagayan and seized four illegal gambling machines.
The owners of the houses were able to escape before authorities arrived. — Christopher Gabriel Bonjoc and Harry Vincent Cañeda (THE FREEMAN)