Illegal swertres also becoming rampant in Minglanilla, Naga

CEBU, Philippines - Just like in Talisay City, illegal swertres is also rampant in neighboring town Minglanilla and Naga City.

Concordio Mejias, municipal administrator of Minglanilla, said he received complaints from officials of majority of the barangays in the municipality on the operations of the said illegal numbers game in their respective areas.

Minglanilla consists of 19 barangays.

Illegal swertres outlets could be seen along the road, said Mejias.

He said the illegal activity had been once curbed during the time of former Minglanilla Police Station chief, Chief Inspector Richard Gadingan, since several operations had been conducted against it.

 However, illegal swertres operators went back to business when Gadingan was transferred to San Fernando town, said Mejias.

Mejias said he will inform Chief Insp. Franco Oriol, who took over Gadingan's post, about the concern of the barangay captains for the latter to take action.

"Angay g'yud ning sikopon ug wagtangon kay klaro man 'ni silang illegal," Mejias said.

Oriol, for his part, said they have already arrested six personalities involved in illegal swertres for the past weeks.

He said they will intensify their operations against the illegal numbers game as ordered by their higher office.

Police Regional Office-7 director Chief Superintendent Prudencio Bañas earlier ordered his men to intensify the campaign against illegal activities in the region, including illegal gambling.

Though not as rampant in Minglanilla and Talisay City, illegal swertres operations are also growing in Naga City, said Mayor Valdemar Chiong.

Chiong, though, wants the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) to distinguish the illegal swertres from the legal ones operating in his city.

Superintendent Jovito Canlapan, chief of Naga City Police, said he has instructed his men to monitor the personalities behind the operations of illegal swertres in his area of responsibility.

"Nagahanons may expect an operation if illegal swertres continues to operate in the city," he said.

Last Wednesday, Talisay City Police closed down several illegal swertres booths and apprehended their stall attendants.

Superintendent Germano Mallari, the station chief, vowed to carry out more operations in the barangays of the city to crack down the illegal activity.

Association of Barangay Councils president Raul Cabañero earlier called for a special meeting with 22 barangay captains and other government officials concerned with the intention of unifying their clamor to have illegal swertres eradicated in the city.

The move, however, did not sit well with Mayor Johnny De los Reyes, who believes that illegal swertres is lesser evil and the personalities behind it are just doing their business as a means of living.

The mayor said he will try to ask Mallari to stop their anti-illegal swertres operations unless the police official could "give decent job to the affected individuals."  (FREEMAN)