PNP chief seeks clarity on gambling regulations

By Jennifer P. Rendon 

Philippine National Police chief General Archie Francisco Gamboa said he will meet government regulatory boards and agencies to thresh out questions relative to the anti-gambling law enforcement.

Gamboa said over the weekend that he would like to discuss gaming guidelines with other agencies of the government that have regulatory functions over gambling activities such as the Games and Amusement Board (GAB), Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR), and even local government units (LGUs).

The decision was an offshoot when Gamboa was asked whether to bar gambling activities in funeral wakes.

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) last week announced that all forms of gambling during wakes and fiesta celebrations are now prohibited in Metro Manila.

But other police regional offices, just like in the case of Western Visayas, claimed that card games and mahjong are allowed during wakes.

“Allowed naman ang isang mesa. Ang original concept parang baraha lang or mahjong. The original intention is para may pang gastos sa burol,” Gamboa said.

However, it has expanded to cara y cruz which is beyond the intent of the law, he added.

“Dapat hulihin ‘pag sumobra na. No more than one table of baraha or mahjong,” he said.

But since there appears to be differences in law enforcement in other parts of the country, Gamboa said it would be better if they would come up with specific guidelines including all other forms of other gambling activities, such as cockfighting.

During the meeting, Gamboa said he would lay down what is done illegally and what is supposed to be the legal gambling practice.

More than a week ago, the PNP announced that it will wage war against illegal gambling.

And for the nth time, the PNP leadership has declared the “no-take policy on illegal gambling,” in a bid to reiterate Gamboa’s order.

On top of that, the PNP has also enforced anew the one-strike policy on illegal gambling.