The Davao Police Regional Office warned PNP personnel about the “no-take policy” and “one-strike policy” in the campaign against illegal gambling.
Brig. Gen. Filmore Escobal, the director of Police Regional Office XI, told reporters in yesterday’s press briefing held at the Sandiwa Hall in Camp Quintin Merecido, said that PNP chief Archie Gamboa reiterated that the PNP will not tolerate illegal activities by its personnel.
“To all provincial directors (PD)s and chiefs of police continue the crackdown on illegal gambling and intensify your operations against illegal operators in order to eliminate illegal gambling operations that compete with the duly authorized PCSO accredited operators,” Escobal said in his opening statement.
He said that cracking down on illegal gambling activities will help boost the revenues of the PCSO.
Escobal said any police officer who will receive gifts from illegal gambling operators will be relieved immediately.
“Failure to comply with this directive, an immediate investigation will be conducted against unit commanders reported to have violated the “no-take policy “ and appropriate administrative charges will be filed against them,” he said.
The regional police director also warned that the station commander will be relieved once they fail to curb illegal gambling in their jurisdiction. If three chiefs of police will be sanctioned for allowing illegal gambling to proliferate, the provincial director will be relieved.
Recently, intensive operations against illegal gambling have been conducted in Panabo City and Sto. Tomas, both in Davao del Norte.
Meanwhile, Escobal directed city police director, Supt. Kirby John Craft, to intensify intelligence and operations against illegal gambling.
“I will strictly implement the campaign against illegal gambling in our region, in compliance with the directives of our PNP chief,” the regional police director said.
The high official also reminded police officers to refrain from entering or being near a cockpit arena and casino without authority.
“If you can see policemen inside those areas and if you can provide us with the hard facts, so we’ll immediately take action, which will include the relief of those personnel,” he said.
