PNP revamp looms over illegal gambling drive

After the 15-day ultimatum on police commanders to stop illegal gambling in their jurisdictions lapsed last Aug. 15, the Philippine National Police (PNP) oversight committee is finalizing its report on how the regional units fared.

PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa gave the deadline to police commanders who have poor anti-illegal gambling campaign records, warning them of a transfer in assignment if they fail.

He said he is still waiting for the assessment report on the anti-illegal gambling performance of his regional police directors.

“The oversight committee is finalizing its findings and recommendations. We will act on it,” Dela Rosa, nicknamed “Bato,” added.

He maintained that his directive to address illegal gambling was not an offshoot of the plan of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) to cut its financial assistance to the police force after noting the PNP’s poor performance against illegal gambling.

PCSO general manager Alexander Balutan said the PCSO leadership is disappointed with the accomplishment of the PNP in the campaign, noting that police officers under Dela Rosa failed to arrest the “big fish” or illegal gambling operators.

He added that the PCSO allocates 2.5 percent of its monthly revenue to the PNP and planned to cut the amount by half. From January to June this year, the PNP was given P154 million or an average of almost P26 million per month.

“The PCSO board members are already having a discussion that by October this year, we will amend the existing Memorandum of Agreement,” Balutan said.

Based on PNP reports, a total of 14,248 persons were arrested in the intensified anti-gambling drive since February and almost P6 million in bets confiscated.