Digal investigates cops involved in masiao

CEBU, Philippines – Sr. Supt. Erson Digal, director of the Cebu Provincial Police Office revealed that he is conducting an investigation on a text message he received informing him about the illegal activity of a policeman in a northern town.

He refused to disclose the identity of the policeman involved, but he stressed that surveillance is being made after a "concerned citizen" sent Digal the message that the cop is protecting the illegal numbers game locally known as masiao.

Digal said that he wants to establish first the facts.

"Amo pa ni ipasusi ug papanid-an kay basin ba og dunay kasuko ning tawhana aning maong pulis, kay akong tawagan dili man makontak iyang cellphone, unya mo-text napud nga basta mao nay impormasyon iyang gihatag," Digal added. (We'd like to gather data first because for all we know, the texter has a grudge against our policeman and is just out to destroy him. We tried to contact the texter's number but it could not be reached although we keep receiving the message.)

Digal, however, stressed that he is still thankful to the concerned citizen for giving the information that will help them in their drive against illegal gambling.

Digal said that they will file a case against the policeman in case he would be caught in the act.

He is encouraging people in the province to continue reporting the illegal activities, especially if it involves a law enforcer.

Digal commanded all the chief of police in the municipalities and cities to strengthen their campaign against illegal gambling like masiao.

He will call to his office next week a policeman from the southern part of Cebu. This is after he received a report that a sibling of this policeman is a masiao financier in Cebu City.

The CPPO director wants to ask the policeman if he is in any way involved.

Despite these information, however, Digal believes that jueteng, which is another illegal numbers' game popular in Luzon, will not penetrate Cebu. He said people in the province do not understand this game. - Mellanie C. Rosales/ Jovanne T. Cando PIT Intern/JPM (FREEMAN)