Top cop warns public vs gambling, drinking amid COVID-19 pandemic

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Police Colonel Romeo Baleros, director of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo), has issued a stern warning against all forms of illegal gambling, and drinking of liquors.

This, after President Rodrigo Duterte in his recent statement mentioned about the public’s wrongdoings in the midst of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Baleros, in a press statement, said that he sees the matter very pressing since the government has extended the Social Amelioration Program to mitigate the effect of the pandemic to the lives and wellbeing of the people, yet some used these resources for gambling and liquor.

He directed all police chiefs, personnel of Mobile Force Companies, and other operating units in the province to intensify operations against all forms of illegal gambling and drinking of intoxicating liquors.

“Those who blatantly violate the order will experience the full force of the law. No matter how far their place may be, we’ll find and get them,” he warned them.

The entire province was placed under the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) from March 30 to April 30 and was recently modified to General Community Quarantine (GCQ) beginning April 20.