Sibulan police chief relieved over illegal gambling

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Police Maj. Fortunato Sabio Villafuerte, chief of the Sibulan Municipal Police Station in Negros Oriental, was relieved from his post Thursday under the police force’s one-strike policy against illegal gambling.

The relief order was issued June 18 by Police Brig. Gen. Romano Cardiño, acting regional director of the Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region.

The order followed implementation guidelines in a memorandum issued by the Regional Operations Division, which reiterated the command’s campaign against all forms of illegal activities and its enforcement of accountability among police commanders under the doctrine of command responsibility.

Cardiño emphasized that the policy is not merely a disciplinary measure but a mechanism to ensure vigilance, accountability, and proactive leadership among commanders.

“It reinforces our commitment to accountability and command responsibility,” he said, adding that every police commander is expected to exercise effective supervision and ensure that all forms of illegal activities are aggressively addressed within their area of responsibility.

According to PRO-NIR, the action stemmed from an anti-illegal gambling operation conducted Wednesday by the Regional Special Operations Group in Purok Mauswagon, Barangay Looc.

The operation resulted in the arrest of a woman for alleged violation of Republic Act No. 9287, the law that increases penalties for illegal numbers games.

Authorities recovered betting paraphernalia, betting records, cash believed to be proceeds of illegal gambling activities, and other pieces of evidence.

Under the one-strike policy, any positive operation conducted by national operational support units or the Regional Special Operations Group against illegal gambling, online or e-sabong activities, and smuggled cigarettes may warrant the relief of the concerned police chief.

The policy is without prejudice to further investigation and the filing of appropriate administrative cases, if warranted.

The Philippine National Police has used variations of the one-strike policy in its campaigns against illegal gambling to hold local commanders accountable when illegal activities are uncovered in their areas of responsibility

In line with the policy, Villafuerte was relieved pending investigation into matters concerning command responsibility and compliance with existing operational directives.

“This policy sends a strong message that complacency has no place in the service and that public trust is best earned through decisive action and results,” Cardiño said.

To ensure uninterrupted police services and operational continuity in the municipality, Police Capt. Mary Jean Guiterrez was designated to assume Villafuerte’s vacated post.

Meanwhile, PRO-NIR said the implementation of the one-strike policy has received the full support of the National Police Commission-Negros Island Region.

The police regional office said Napolcom-NIR recognized the initiative as a vital component of maintaining peace and order and strengthening crime prevention efforts across the region.