DUTERTE INTENSIFIES ILLEGAL GAMBLING DRIVE

Police, NBI, other law enforcers ordered to coordinate and stop illegal activities

President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and other law enforcement agencies to intensify the fight against illegal gambling.

Duterte issued Executive Order (EO) 13 on February 2, three days after the PNP suspended its anti-narcotics campaign following a scandal that rocked the Anti-Illegal Drugs Group.

Duterte’s new directive instructs the PNP, NBI, and law enforcement agencies to “coordinate and promptly act on requests of gambling regulatory authorities to investigate and put a stop to illegal activities in their respective jurisdictions.”

They are ordered to coordinate with concerned agencies like the Department of Justice, the Department of Interior and Local Gov- ernment, and the Department of Information and Communications Technology.

The Office of the President, on the other hand, is tasked to recommend to Duterte the issuance of rules, regulation and directives for the suppression of illegal gambling and the improvement of government efforts to raise revenue from legitimate gambling activities, as may be necessary.

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor), Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (Ceza), Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (Apeco), and Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) are directed to fully cooperate and assist the Office of the President.

Pagcor, Ceza, Apec, Apeco and Afab, in coordination with the relevant law enforcement agencies, are instructed to submit to the Office of the President a consolidated report on the progress of the fight against illegal gambling within their respective jurisdictions.

Duterte prohibited illegal gaming companies from further operating, noting that illegal gambling has become a “source of corruption.”

“The state condemns the existence of illegal gambling activities as a widespread social menace and source of corruption, as it has become an influential factor in an individual’s disregard for the value of dignified work, perseverance, and thrift,” the President stated in the EO.

Duterte has promised to suppress the proliferation of illegal gambling.

AP PHOTO/ AARON FAVILA PROTEST. A protester holds a slogan in front of riot police during a rally in front of the U.S. Embassy Friday. The protesters denounced U.S. President Donald Trump on his antiimmigration stance.