National Capital Region Police Office director P/Maj. Gen. Felipe Natividad on Tuesday ordered all police station and district commanders in Metro Manila to intensify their campaign against all forms of illegal gambling.
“Team NCRPO will intensify its standing policy and campaign against illegal gambling particularly the illegal number game operations. We will also strictly enforce the no-take policy from illegal gambling and other illegal sources. Commanders on the ground in violation of this order will face severe sanctions,” Natividad said.
The drive was launched after Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año tapped the Philippine National Police to go after operators of illegal number games, notably the Peryahan ng Bayan.
“This is relative to the report that some illegal gambling activities, including the Peryahan ng Bayan, is continuously running and operating,” said Natividad.
The NCRPO recently launched a crackdown against the “Online Sabong” following the directive of President Duterte to stop its operation.
A total of 123 police operations were conducted by the NCRPO against illegal gambling from May 1 to 15.
These included operations against illegal number games, video karera, and other forms of gambling, resulting in the arrest of 370 individuals and confiscation of 107, 455 gambling materials and paraphernalia.
Natividad reminded his police unit to strengthen their campaign against illegal gambling
“We need to keep our ranks out of it. Let us guard our people and we will always remind them not to try or attempt to get involved in any kind of illegal activity. Let us be the role models to our constituents. As I always say, let’s just work well and correctly and always take discipline to heart,” he said.