Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), ordered on Saturday all regional directors to stop “jueteng” and all forms of illegal gambling in one week.
Otherwise, Gamboa warned that all those who would fail to comply would be sacked from their posts and would be in floating status, meaning, they will not be given assignments.
“To the concerned regional directors, I have forwarded you lists of (illegal gambling) operators in your regions,” said Gamboa.
“I am giving you a week. If you will not stop (the illegal gambling) I will relieve you,” he warned.
Earlier, Gamboa forwarded the lists of gambling operators per region for the regional directors to operate on.
The move is part of the intensified internal cleansing program of the PNP as there are allegedly some policemen receiving money from gambling operators.
Gamboa explained that he works on the principle that the reason why illegal gambling thrives is because local police forces are protecting the operators.
“Your Chief PNP is not getting any single centavo from jueteng at hindi ko rin pinapaipon,” said Gamboa.
The renewed anti-illegal gambling drive comes with a reiteration of No Take Policy.
Several police commanders in Metro Manila and Luzon were already sacked for failure to stop illegal gambling.
Gamboa also earlier tasked Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, PNP deputy chief for Operations, to study and come up with recommendations on how to fully stop illegal gambling activities. (Aaron Recuenco)
