BUTUAN CITY – Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa, assured that no one will be spared in the continuing fight against all forms of illegal gambling.
“I warn everybody even if you are my close friends, relatives and PNP officials close to my family, you are not exempted from police operations if you are receiving gambling payoffs or involved in any forms of illegal gambling activities,” said Gamboa, who was in the city on Friday (Feb. 28) for a visit at the Police Regional Office in Caraga (PRO-13).
Gamboa said the PNP leadership is serious in implementing the “no-take policy” in the campaign against all forms of illegal gambling, adding that the policy includes “all forms of material or monetary considerations.
He also stressed to the PNP officers and personnel in the Caraga Region the importance of preserving their dignity as police officers and public servants mandated to serve and protect the people and their communities.
Data provided by PRO-13 showed a total of 160 suspects were arrested in the intensified drive against all forms of illegal gambling in the region in February alone.
PRO-13 director, Brig. Gen. Joselito T. Esquivel, Jr. said the heightened operations are aimed at illegal gambling activities such as swertres and last two games, playing cards, cara y cruz, mahjong, cockfight, spiders game, and online “sabong.”
A total of PHP53, 588 amount of bet money were confiscated by police operatives during the operations in the region.
Esquivel also warned all citizens in the region who continue to engage in illegal gambling activities to stop or face arrests.
Caraga cops cited
During his visit, Gamboa handed awards to PRO-13 personnel who exhibited exemplary performance in the conduct of their duties and responsibilities.
In a statement issued on Saturday (Feb. 29), the information office of PRO-13 said Medalya ng Papuri were given to 19 police officers of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB).
Medalya ng Kagalingan were also presented by Gamboa to Col. James Goforth, Col. Martin Gamba, and Captain Joemel Maquiling for “demonstrating efficiency, devotion, and outstanding gallantry during the collaborative effort in the intelligence build-up neutralizing the ISIS-affiliated terrorists and kidnap-for-ransom group” in the province of Surigao del Sur.
The PNP chief also handed plaques of recognition to Major General Nemesio Gacal of 4th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, 401st Brigade commander Col. Allan Hambala, and 402nd Brigade commander Brig. Gen. Maurito Licudine in their “persistent drive” against the communists New People’s Army (NPA)” a joint police-military program dubbed Campaign Plan “Kapanatagan.”
