CEBU, Philippines – Talisay City Police chief Reycel Carmelo Dayon has admitted that the illegal gambling activities in the city especially the video karera will not permanently disappear they are a lucrative business.
"Di totally mawa kay lucrative nga negosyo," Dayon said.
But the police chief said because of the participation of the barangay officials who are "proactive" in the campaign against illegal drugs, they immediately report if there is sighting of a video karera in their area, for example.
Last confiscation of a video karera unit was made on December 25 in Sitio Ilang-ilang, Barangay Lagtang.
However, despite the presence of three police officials and five other police personnel, no player or caretaker was arrested.
Dayon said this is because during the raid the machine was placed in a shanty where there was no owner inside while the players were quick to run away and evade arrest.
Meanwhile, Dayon said most of the machines confiscated were from Barangay Tanke, a known hive for illegal drugs. He said illegal gambling and drugs are always in the same area, hence they are constantly monitoring this part of the city.
At least two individuals were arrested and charged in Tanke for illegal gambling.
At least 10 video karera units were housed at the police station, all of them already destroyed.
Dayon warned caretakers of the illegal machines that once they are arrested, they will face the same criminal liability as the operator.