Pacleb tells public to report cops behind illegal gambling
POLICE officials in Northern Mindanao have repeatedly warned policemen who take part or receiving money from illegal gambling operations, following an order of intensified crackdown against illegal gambling.
Chief Superintendent Timoteo Pacleb, regional director of the Police Regional Office-Northern Mindanao (PRO-10), has once again urged the public to report the names of policemen who are accepting money or worse, operating illegal gambling.
The PRO-10 released a hotline, 0915-303-3072,
where the public can send their information.
Pacleb lauded all police units and stations who have scored against illegal gambling activities since the start of this year.
Authorities have underlined the importance of community participation in going after all illegal gambling operators including police protectors of gambling activities in exchange of money.
Chief Inspector Mardy Hortillosa II, spokesperson of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo), said the local police takes the possibility that there may be law enforcers in cahoots with gambling operators.
He said there have been reports reaching their office about policemen who engage in illegal gambling activities.
Hortillosa said these information will have to be validated to ensure that the policemen `involved’ will be accorded with due process.
“Posible nga naay gadawat ug ga-protect kay ngano dili man mangakadakpan. Naay report atong gakadawat pero kinahanglan pa gihapon atong i-validate,”Hortillosa said.
“Moabot ra inyong panahon kay walay binuhatan nga molungtad og dugay labi na kung illegal. Pasensyahan lang ta kung masapon mo gumikan sa complaint labi na kung makakuha kita og ebidensya,”he added.
Policemen who are found to have positively indulged in illegal gambling will have to face criminal and administrative charges.
The PRO-10 has ordered a `One strike policy’ that must be strictly enforced to wipe out illegal gambling activities across the region.
Chiefs of police and station commanders who failed to act on the blatant illegal gambling operations in their respective jurisdictions will be relieved from their posts immediately.