Mayor Radaza eyes grassroots support vs. illegal gambling

CEBU, Philippines - Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza is urging all barangay captains to closely monitor illegal gambling operations in their respective barangays especially videokarera and report the same to authorities if the same do exist.

Radaza who declared an all out war against all forms of illegal gambling activities last year said the intensified campaign against illegal gambling will not work without the support of those at the grassroots level, especially the barangay officials.

Radaza said barangay captains are in the best position to know the activities in their respective barangays.

The mayor said she wants all barangays in Lapu-Lapu City to be videokarera free this year.

Leo Mercado, the president of the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC), the barangay captain of Pajo, said the barangay captains are fully supporting the campaign.

Last year, 27 videokarera machines were destroyed by the Lapu-Lapu City Police.

Aside from videokarera, Mayor Radaza directed the police to include all forms of illegal gambling like masiao and illegal cockfight or tigbakay in the campaign.

Barangays were allowed to hold cockfights during fiesta, but with an appropriate permit from City Hall.