Illegal gambling is continuing in the southern part of Metro Manila amidst the massive crackdown spearheaded by the police forces as part of their anti-criminality campaign.
Southern Police District Director Brig. Gen Emmanuel Peralta will be put to test after sources told the Standard a certain Jun Laurel was openly using his alleged ‘relationship’ to a high ranking police official for the illegal gambling operations in the entire southern part of Metro Manila.
Information circulated in the area by Laurel exposed that Peralta could not do anything against their expanded operations because he was under the ‘protection’ of Maverick, an alleged anti-gambling unit of the PNP.
According to sources, Laurel is now expanding their operations to as far as Bicol region under the ‘blessing’ of an unidentified high ranking PNP official.
Last month, the PNP – National Capital Region Police Office ordered an intensified police operations in the southern part of Metro after reports of illegal gambling operations continued to surface in the area.
This developed as another eight senior police officials were included in the latest round of reorganization in the Philippine National Police.
In an order released on Tuesday, PNP chief Gen. Camilo Cascolan designated Directorate for Police Community Relations chief Maj. Gen. Dionardo Carlos to head the Directorate for Integrated Police Operations-Southern Luzon.
Brig. Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr., current head of the Directorate for Intelligence, was ordered to lead the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group.
He would replace Brig. Gen. Ronald Lee, who was designated as the new DHRDD chief.
Replacing Acorda as DI chief is Brig. Gen. Adoldo Samala Jr., former Directorate for Plans head.
Meanwhile, former Highway Patrol Group chief Brig. Gen. Eliseo dela Cruz will replace Samala as head of the DPL.
Taking over the HPG is Brig. Gen. Alexander Tagum, from the Office of the Chief PNP.
This is the sixth reshuffle of police officials to various units implemented by Cascolan since he assumed as the country’s top cop in September.
Cascolan earlier reminded all regional directors and commanders on the development and presence of leaders at all levels and at all times.
He said close mentoring and coaching would be emphasized under his watch to instill discipline and integrity in all aspects of policing.