IPPO heightens drive against illegal gambling

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Quarantined and bored?

Taking part in illegal gambling, how petty it might be, is not the answer, according to the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO).

This was the statement of Colonel Gilbert Gorero, Iloilo police chief, on Tuesday as he ordered intensified anti-illegal gambling operations in the province.

Gorero explained that minimum health protocols against COVID-19 are flouted in illegal gambling activities.

In most cases in rural areas, neighbors who play mahjong, tong its, or billiards, don’t wear masks or observe social distancing.

As Iloilo province is battling the spread of COVID-19, Gorero said “we must ensure that protocols are being followed.”

With the limited movement of individuals as Iloilo province is still on modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) status until July 15, Gorero said some individuals are drawn to gambling to while their time away.

The Iloilo police also noted reports of illegal cockfighting, or pauwak in the province on weekends.

IPPO reports showed that from January 1 to June 28, 2021, different IPPO units conducted 87 anti-illegal gambling operations.

These include violations of Presidential Decree 1602 (Providing Stiffer Penalties on Illegal Gambling); Republic Act 9287 (An Act Increasing Penalties for Illegal Numbers Games, amending Certain Provisions of Presidential Decree No. 1602, and for other purposes; and PD 449, on the other hand, is the Anti-Cockfighting Law of 1974.

Most of the operations were against illegal cockfighting with 42; card games at 19; bookies at 13; mahjong at 4; cara y cruz at one; and 8 operations against other forms of illegal gambling.

The IPPO were able to arrest 312 persons and filed 79 cases in court.

Police also seized P224,419 in cash bets.