(Eagle News) – The Philippine National Police officially declared an all-out war against illegal gambling, including illegal online gaming.
In a press conference Monday, PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa said the war against illegal gambling is in line with an earlier directive issued by President Rodrigo Duterte.
“The Philippine National Police will continue to hit hard on all forms of illegal gambling activities in line with Executive Order No. 13 issued by President Rodrigo Duterte… By this pronouncement, the PNP is hereby declaring war against illegal gambling,” Dela Rosa said in a press conference.
The PNP chief however clarified that the war against illegal gambling would not be as bloody as the anti-illegal drug war.
“Hindi naman crazy ‘yung mga player ng gambling, unlike sa drugs na walang tamang pag-iisip kaya nagkakaroon ng patayan. Pumapatay nga sila kahit hindi sila nate-threaten ‘di ba. Itong mga illegal gambling pera-pera lang ito. Hindi ito kailangan magbuwis ng buhay,” he said.
President Duterte signed EO 13, “Strengthening the Fight Against Illegal Gambling and Clarifying the Jurisdiction and Authority of Concerned Agencies in the Regulation and Licensing of Gambling and Online Gaming Facilities, and Other Purposes” on February 2, 2017.
Under the EO, the PNP, the National Bureau of Investigation and other law enforcement agencies would coordinate with the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) in conducting their anti-illegal gambling operations.
Police and other law enforcement agencies are also required to coordinate with and act on the requests of gambling regulatory authorities like the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA), Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO), and Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) to investigate and end illegal gambling activities in their respective jurisdiction.
Dela Rosa said the guidelines on the implementation of the war against illegal gambling are now being finalized.
He added that campaign would also cover local chief executives and police personnel who will be found to be engaging in illegal gambling activities.
“Kasama sila. Gegyerahin natin sila kung matigas ang ulo nila. Walang loko-lokong chief executive dito. Kung involved sila, kung haharangin nila ‘yung ating anti-illegal gambling campaign (kasama sila sa gyera),” he said
He said policemen found to be involved in illegal gambling could also be targeted by the operations of the Counter-Intelligence Task Force which is weeding out scalawag policemen.