EDITORIAL - Fighting the indestructible masiao

The good news is that the Cebu City Police Office is now intensifying the campaign against the illegal numbers game around the city. In just a week, at least two noted personalities allegedly involved in masiao were arrested in a series of operations in two neighboring barangays.

Last Monday evening, the son of Suba barangay captain Rogelio Resurreccion was arrested in an anti-illegal gambling operation conducted by operatives of City Intelligence Branch of the CCPO.

Policemen accosted Nilo Resurreccion after it was confirmed that he was involved in masiao. The arrest of the younger Resurreccion came after the police confirmed about the rampant masiao operations in the area. In fact, the authorities said he is a 'general coordinator' of the illegal number game in the barangay.

Last week, suspected masiao financier Randy Boliboli was arrested by the Regional Special Operations Group in Barangay Suba. Authorities seized at least P150,000 worth of illegal numbers game paraphernalia and P12,000 cash during his arrest, which stemmed from a search warrant issued by the court.

Just a few months since his transfer to the city from Negros Oriental, it seems CCPO director Noli Romana is on the right track. It seems he is well on his way to accomplish a mission which he reportedly failed in his previous posting.

But it's too early to tell. Those busted masiao operations are just a tip of the iceberg. The illegal numbers game is still alive and kicking in other barangays, especially in areas where police presence is limited.

But, on the other hand, their recent accomplishments really give a boost to the image of the police in the face of rampant proliferation of masiao in the city. It is undeniable that the authorities are facing a daunting task of eradicating the seemingly indestructible illegal numbers game.

Let us admit the fact that there are untouchable forces behind the operation of masiao in the barangay. And authorities should include them in their drive to once and for all eradicate this form of illegal activity.