PNP commanders tasked to expand community-based intel network vs illegal gambling
photo: PNP
Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr., chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), ordered all police commanders down to the precinct and station levels to intensify community intelligence efforts to dismantle illegal gambling operations and hubs across the country.
Aside from popular card and street gambling, police are also intensifying operations against online platforms of illegal gambling.
“Illegal gambling breeds other crimes—from domestic violence to theft, robbery and even crimes against persons. And this is the reason why your PNP has been very aggressive in its campaign as manifested by our monthly accomplishment reports,” said Nartatez.
He explained that information from residents remains one of the most effective tools in identifying illegal gambling operations that continue to operate in different parts of the country.
Police have sustained its anti-illegal gambling campaign through intensified police operations nationwide. For July this year, a total of 9,401 persons were arrested while more than P3.2 million worth of bet money and gambling paraphernalia were confiscated.
Nartatez said the campaign is not limited to Metro Manila as he said police resources are also being mobilized in municipalities, provinces, and far-flung communities where illegal gambling operations continue to thrive.
“Our operations are not only focused in Metro Manila. The same level of aggressive operations has been ongoing in municipalities and provinces, including far-flung areas,” he said.
He said illegal gambling is not merely a law enforcement concern because it also contributes to the commission of other crimes as revealed in the PNP crime data.
Nartatez said dismantling illegal gambling operations will also help improve peace and order in communities.