CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna —Four chiefs of police in the Calabarzon region were relieved from their posts for failing to stop gambling on illegal numbers games in their areas, the regional police office said Friday.
Two of the officers came from Batangas, as Supt. Carlos Barde was relieved as Lipa City Chief of Police and Supt. Geovanny Emerick A. Sibalo from the Sto. Tomas Municipal Police Station.
In Laguna, Supt. Ronan Claravall of the San Pablo City Police Station was dismissed along with Supt. Zeric Soriano of the San Pedro Municipal Police Station.
The firings were in line with the orders of Philippine National Police Chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa to relieve unit commanders across the country if after 15 days they fail to stop illegal numbers games in their areas of responsibility.
The relieved officers are now at the Provincial Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit in their respective Police Provincial Offices, and will face administrative proceedings to assess the extent of their liabilities, the Police Regional Office 4A said in a statement.
Even before Dela Rosa’s directive, Police Regional Director Chief Supt. Ma. O Aplasca ordered an all-out war against illegal gambling, and directed his men to clear their areas of all forms of unlawful number games.
“The day I assumed the position as Calabarzon’s Regional Director, I have been very vocal on my desire to eradicate illegal number games in the region,” Aplasca said.
“Prior to the directive of the Chief PNP, we have started this campaign and we are progressively gaining positive results. Despite our reminders, unfortunately there are still chiefs of police who fell short of the directive,” he added.
The war on anti-illegal gambling is one of the priorities of the present administration, and under Executive Order No. 13, the PNP and other concerned agencies are tasked to work together in curbing illegal gambling.