PRO-6 orders anti-gambling drive intensified

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — A renewed anti-illegal drug campaign was ordered in the heels of President Benigno S. Aquino III’s declaration on plans to pull the plug on the state-run small town lottery (STL).

Chief Supt. Agrimero Cruz, Jr., director of the Police Regional Office-6, directed yesterday all provincial and city police directors to further intensify operations on all forms of illegal gambling in Western Visayas. At the regional level, Cruz said they should work double-time on how to curb illegal gambling operation, particularly jail alai, in Negros Occidental. “Medyo talamak na talaga ang jai alai doon. May nagungubra na kahit sa sari-sari store at bangketa,” he said.

Jai alai continues to thrive even if STL has been legally operating in the area. Last July, Cruz’s predecessor, Chief Supt. Cipriano Querol, Jr. noted that a number of illegal gambling operators have ceased to operate.                  He cited Bacolod City as an example. Last year, it has around 16 jai-alai operators, but lately, the number was trimmed to two. These jai-alai operations have code names Bull’s Eye and Pronton.

While he claimed the “talamak” operation in Negros Occidental, Cruz labeled illegal gambling activities in Panay Island not as blatant as in Negros. “Medyo patago pa sa Panay,” he said.

While there were no jail alai operations in Panay Island, irregular operations of STL bookies are however noted. “But still, we should continue a no let-up operations against any form of illegal gambling,” he added.  (FREEMAN)