Negros police chiefs warned on gambling

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD CITY – Police Brigadier General Jack Wanky, director of Police Regional Office (PRO)-6, reiterated the “one strike policy” on illegal gambling to all police chiefs in Negros Occidental.

This announcement followed the recent relief of three police non-commissioned officers in the region, allegedly involved in an illegal gambling racket.

Wanky warned police chiefs that they would be automatically relieved and sanctioned if they did not act on illegal gambling activities in their areas, or if operatives from other units discovered they were receiving payola or bribes from such activities.

With the relief of the three officers, Wanky stated, they are sending a clear message to other policemen about their seriousness in tackling illegal gambling.

“We are putting pressure on them, especially those who might be involved,” he added.

Wanky did not identify the three sacked policemen, only revealing that one was from Aklan, and two were assigned in Bacolod.

“We’re careful in conducting the investigation kaya hindi muna natin pinapangalanan,” he said, adding that if proven guilty, these policemen would be sanctioned or charged accordingly.

When asked if he’s satisfied with the anti-gambling operations in the region, Wanky responded that he is okay with it – for now.

He mentioned that he is still studying the situation but noted the need to intensify the campaign against illegal gambling.