Bato dela Rosa declares all-out war vs. illegal gambling

Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa on Monday officially declared an all-out war against illegal gambling but said it will not be as bloody as the intensified campaign against illegal drugs.

“The Philippine National Police will continue to hit hard on all forms of illegal gambling activities in line with Executive Order No. 13 issued by President Rodrigo Duterte… By this pronouncement, the PNP is hereby declaring war against illegal gambling,” Dela Rosa said in a press conference.  

On February 2, President Rodrigo Duterte signed EO 13, "Strengthening the Fight Against Illegal Gambling and Clarifying the Jurisdiction and Authority of Concerned Agencies in the Regulation and Licensing of Gambling and Online Gaming Facilities, and Other Purposes.”

Under the EO, the PNP, the NBI, and other law enforcement agencies should coordinate with the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) in conducting their operations.

Law enforcement agencies are also directed to coordinate with and act on the requests of gambling regulatory authorities like the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA), Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO), and Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) to investigate and end illegal gambling activities in their respective jurisdiction.

Asked if the anti-illegal gambling campaign would be as bloody as the anti-illegal drugs war, Dela Rosa said: “Hindi naman crazy 'yung mga player ng gambling, unlike sa drugs na walang tamang pag-iisip kaya nagkakaroon ng patayan. Pumapatay nga sila kahit hindi sila nate-threaten 'di ba. Itong mga illegal gambling pera-pera lang ito. Hindi ito kailangan magbuwis ng buhay.”

He said the Directorate for Operations is now preparing certain adjustments in their campaign plan against illegal gambling that will now cover illegal online gambling activities as defined under Executive Order 13.

He said the DO is now drafting the final guidelines on how to implement the campaign.

“Kung one-strike o two-strike o three strike policy, ilalabas namin 'yan next week 'pag natapos na,” he said. 

“I am glad to note that the PCSO [Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office] has successfully established the government-operated Small Town Lottery (STL) in different parts of the country as an effective way to keep illegal gambling operators out of business,” he said. 

He said the bottomline is the national advocacy to rid the country of all forms of illegal gambling activities that contribute to moral decay and provide an economic support system that sustains other forms of illegal activity. 

“Based on our own experience, illegal gambling activities, if left unchecked, breed corruption and may mutate into other forms of organized crime, including drug-trafficking, illegal vices, money-laundering and kidnapping,” he said. 

Dela Rosa said they already have Double Barrel against Illegal Gambling but since EO 13 has been released, they will now follow the presidential order. 

He said the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group will be the main unit to conduct the operations.

Dela Rosa added the campaign will not spare local chief executives who will continue to engage in illegal gambling activities. 

“Kasama sila. Gegyerahin natin sila kung matigas ang ulo nila. Walang loko-lokong chief executive dito. Kung involved sila, kung haharangin nila 'yung ating anti-illegal gambling campaign (kasama sila sa gyera),” he said

He said the police personnel involved in illegal gambling could become the target of the operations of the Counter-Intelligence Task Force.

“Baka makasama sila sa CITF operation kung insistent sila. Sinabi na nga e that’s corruption 'di ba? Kwidaw sila baka makasama sila,” he said.

Time frame

Asked how soon they can rid the country of illegal gambling operations, Dela Rosa said it will depend on the political will of the government and the cooperation of the public.

“Depende 'yan sa political will ng administrasyon. E kung makikinig ang Malacañang sa mga advice ng mga tao sa baba, sa mga involved, e hindi talaga 'yan matapos. Pero kung sabihin ng Presidente na all-out tayo, e all-out tayo,” he said.

Dela Rosa said they have not yet set a deadline though.

Titignan muna, pag-aralan namin 'yung EO 13. Alam mo, kung mag-cooperate lahat, hindi aabutin ng six months. From the financier, ‘yung mga tauhan nila na involved sa gambling, local government executives, governor, mayor, barangay captain o 'yung ibang congressmen, magtulung-tulungan tayo, PNP, NBI and other law enforcement agencies, plus the community, 'yung gaming public mismo. I don’t see any reason na hindi magtagumpay ito,” he said.

He said the public should look out for scalawag police personnel who will ride with the anti-illegal gambling campaign.

“Bantayan natin kung may sasakay na naman na mga pulis, all-out tapos aaregluhin na naman 'yung kaso. It’s up to the commanders on the ground kaya gagawa tayo ng one-strike, two-strike, three-strike policy para siguraduhin natin na ma-implement 'yung illegal gambling campaign,” he said. —KG, GMA News