PNP starts crackdown on all forms of gambling under PCSO's franchise

Philippine National Police chief General Oscar Albayalde has ordered a massive crackdown on illegal gambling nationwide, in compliance with President Rodrigo Duterte's order.

In a statement on Saturday, the PNP information office quoted Albayalde as saying the crackdown would include arrest of any individual engaged in illegal activities in defiance of the chief executive's order.

Last Friday, President Duterte ordered a stop to all  gaming operations  with franchises, licenses or permits the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) had granted, citing massive corruption.

"I have today ordered the closure, the stoppage of all gaming schemes of whatever nature that got franchises to do so from PCSO. . . . The ground is massive corruption," Duterte said in a video message aired by the Presidential Communications Operations Office.

"Hinto na, that's my order," he said, adding that he will have the alleged corruption investigated in the operation of these gaming schemes, including  lotto, STL (Small Town Lottery), Peryahan ng Bayan, or whatever nature, there's one yung gambling machine, Keno,  yung gambling that got the franchise from PCSO."

The PCSO is the main government agency mandated to raise and provide funds for the health programs, medical assistance, and services, and charities of national character.

Duterte said the order takes effect starting Saturday, July 27, 2019.

Duterte also ordered the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines "to arrest anybody . . . engaged with gambling activities in connection with franchises granted by PCSO," and said he would not honor court orders that would interfere with his directive.

By virtue of the order, the PNP in the statement said, "Those businesses that continue to operate in connection with the franchises, licenses, concessions granted by the PCSO are hereby warned to cease and desist from engaging business, following the provisions stipulated in their franchises or face consequences under existing laws."

It also encouraged the public to report to the police any suspected illegal gambling activity in their communities. —LBG, GMA news