10 cops axed over illegal gambling

MANILA, Philippines - Ten police officers – precinct chiefs and intelligence officers – were removed from their posts for failing to curb illegal gambling in their areas of jurisdiction, the Philippine National Police (PNP) announced yesterday.

The relief of these police officers was in line with the PNP’s “one strike” and “no take” policy on illegal gambling, PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo Jr. said.

Though he did not name the police officers, Cerbo said the five police community precinct commanders and five intelligence officers were responsible for Estero Ceado street in Quiapo, Manila; Cielito Homes North in Caloocan City; Viente Reales in Valenzuela City; and Poblacion San Jose and Poblacion Padre Garcia in Batangas.

PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima warned other police officers against being lenient in the fight against illegal gambling or face the same sanctions.

“The intention of the policy is to give the commanders in the field a chance to prove their leadership in the implementation of the campaign on illegal gambling,” he said.

Cerbo said the relieved police officers violated the PNP Letter of Instruction 27/2012, which pertains to the police force’s policy against illegal gambling.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II had earlier given specific orders for the PNP to intensify the drive against illegal gambling and go against the operators and their protectors.

In a memorandum circular, the National Police Commission gave a go-signal to police regional, provincial and station commanders to initiate administrative and criminal charges against the PNP personnel relieved in connection with the campaign against illegal gambling.