Cocpo says Oro ‘gambling-free’
AN official of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo) on Wednesday, Aug. 16, said the Cocpo headquarters has received a word from all station commanders that their respective areas of responsibility (AOR) are already free from illegal gambling activities.
Cocpo spokesperson Chief Inspector Mardy Hortillosa II made the statement after various commanders from police station 1 to 10 were given an ultimatum to stop all forms of illegal gambling in the city until Friday, August 11.
But, Hortillosa clarified that the declaration of the station chiefs is still subject for confirmation from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).
Also, Hortillosa said the Cocpo's Intelligence Unit (CIU) has yet to monitor illegal gambling operations.
“All stacom declared gambling free na but we are waiting for the confirmation of the PCSO. CIU states also that there are no presence of illegal gambling monitored in the locality,” Hortillosa said.
Hortillosa said a so-called ‘Red teams' were purposedly formed to validate and counter check claims of the station commanders.
The Cocpo spokesman refused to identify the composition of the ‘red teams' so as not to compromise the validation process.
“We will check this through the red teams personnel being designated to validate all areas. Sila ang mag counter check kung tinood ba nga wala nay gambling sa ilang area,” Hortillosa said.
Hortillosa explained that once the validating team found that illegal gambling activities remain operating, the station commander in a particular area may likely face relief from the post.
Hortillosa also urged the public to report those who remain active in illegal gambling business directly to Cocpo officials.
“Ang COCPO maningkamot nga mawala ang illegal gambling sa amo area of resposibility ug kutob sa amo mahimo amo i-sustain nga dili na makabalik ang mga illegal. Pero amo gihangyo ang tanan katawhan sa dakbayan nga tabangan ang kapulisan nga mag monitor sa area para ma actionan dayon namo ang mga issue involve sa illegal gambling kay dili namo kaya bantayan tanan mga tao nga gahimo ug gasuporta sa illegal gambling,” Hortillosa said.