By Jennifer P. Rendon
The Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 will mount an aggressive campaign against Peryahan Games (or Peryahan ng Bayan) in Iloilo.
This, despite reports that Peryahan Games are “non-existent” in Western Visayas.
Brigadier General Leo Francisco, Western Visayas police chief, confirmed he received a memorandum from the PNP Directorate for Operations to conduct “intensified police operations against Peryahan ng Bayan and apprehend the operators.”
The memorandum was in consonance with a letter from Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager Melquiades Robles dated March 13, 2023.
Robles cited a ruling of the Taguig City Arbitral Tribunal dated March 7, 2023 declaring Peryahan ng Bayan as illegal.
Around two years ago, there have been debates if Peryahan is legally allowed to operate in Western Visayas.
The PNP, citing PCSO, said it is not.
But gaming technology firm Globaltech Mobile Online Corp. (GMOC), the operator of Peryahan Games, asserted that they have the authority to operate and cited another court ruling.
They also threatened to sue the PNP for libel.
In Iloilo, Globaltech sued policemen who arrested their bet collectors.
But while they claimed to be legal, it was not that they have operations in Iloilo as there were reports that they used to operate in Aklan, Antique, and Capiz.
The draw was allegedly made in Antique.
But their Antique operation was also cut short with the arrest of their bet collectors.
Francisco said they have not monitored any Peryahan Games for the past few months.
“Wala na kasi simula ng narelieved ang chief of police ng San Jose (Antique), wala ng malakas ang loob. ‘Yung mga maliliit na bookies ng STL (Small Town Lottery) ay meron pa rin,” he said.
When asked about the threat of Globaltech’s case to pursue criminal charges, Francisco said they would abide by the order of the PNP.
“Lagi namang sinasabi ng Globaltech yan pero maliwanag ang desisyon ng kore na ilegal sila,” he said.
Meanwhile, Francisco said operations against all forms of illegal gambling will continue.
