THE Cebu City Police Office under its director, Colonel Ireneo Dalogdog, signed an agreement with the City Government and various barangays on Friday, December 9, 2022, to put a stop to illegal gambling, especially e-sabong.
General Rodolfo Azurin Jr., Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, recently ordered a crackdown on the online cockfighting after it shifted to “guerilla” operations following its ban by the government in May.
The signing was attended by City Councilor Phillip Zafra, who represented Mayor Michael Rama, and Pastor Art Tangal, who represented the Kasimbayanan, which stands for Kapulisan, Simbahan at Pamayanan, a PNP program that partners with the general public and religious sectors.
Barangay captains in Central Visayas had said they would help police monitor the spread of illegal gambling in the region.
Last week, police in Cebu City, Cebu Province and operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Regional Field Unit arrested more than 20 suspects for their alleged involvement in the illegal electronic gambling.
Police also said they would go after illegal gamblers as well as operators of the unauthorized Small Town Lottery, or swertres, in the whole of Cebu.
Last week, they arrested seven ushers, or bet takers, of the unauthorized numbers game.
The suspects were identified as Angelito Cabillan Lareima of Purok Tangkong, Barangay Poblacion, Talisay City; Allan Basera Tecson; Dondy Tecson Refuela of the southwestern town of Barili; Jemboy Diso-Asido Calandingan of Sitio Combado, Barangay Cantuod in the western town of Balamban; Buelah Buladula Rodriguez of Barangay Inayagan, City of Naga; Doroteo Abutog Radores of Barangay Tungkil, Minglanilla; and Renan Pepito Magdadaro of Bogo City in northern Cebu.
The Cebu Police Provincial Office has been waging a campaign against unauthorized swertres since it received a complaint from Saturn Gaming N’ Amusement Corporation, the only company authorized by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) to operate the numbers game in Cebu Province.
Meanwhile, Saturn Gaming general manager Andrea Alzate has released a statement urging the public not to believe talks that the PCSO has suspended its franchise. (AYB/BBT)