Bato: Fund received by PNP from STL not bribe money, used in anti-gambling drive

Top cop Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa has admitted that the Philippine National Police receives funds from proceeds of small-town lottery (STL) earnings, but clarified it is being used in anti-illegal gambling operations.

According to a report on News To Go on Wednesday, Dela Rosa said in an earlier interview that the amount collected should not be perceived as bribery.

“A certain percentage napupunta sa national headquarters, sa regional headquarters,” he said, adding that the fund from STL received by the PNP are all accounted for.

Asked where the money goes, he said: “Para sa operations ng anti-illegal gambling.”

He was reacting to an allegation made by gambling operator Charlie “Atong” Ang that the PNP receives bribes from STL operators.

“Baka sanay siya sa bribery dahil dati siyang gambling lord din siya ‘di ba,” Dela Rosa said of Ang.

The STL is a legitimate operation run by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), but has been alleged as being a front for the illegal numbers game jueteng.

Ang appeared at a Senate hearing on the controversies of the PCSO to testify against the agency’s leadership.

President Rodrigo Duterte had said he had tapped Ang to help “clean up” the PCSO.

The PCSO also made the news in December after one of its board member, Sandra Cam, blew the whistle on an allegedly lavish multi-million peso Christmas Party. —Nicole-Anne C. Lagrimas/ALG, GMA News