PNP to enforce 'one-strike policy' in campaign vs. illegal gambling

The new chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday ordered police unit commanders to strictly enforce policies in stopping illegal activities such as illegal gambling in their areas of responsibility.

In a press statement, Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa said the one-strike policy would be applied to police unit commanders who will fail to curb illegal activities.

"I am serving notice to all police unit commanders that their actions in enforcing the campaign against corruption and crimes against public morals, particularly illegal gambling, shall weigh heavily in the succeeding rounds of individual performance evaluation to determine their competence to continue leading their respective units," Gamboa said.

At a press briefing, PNP spokesman Police Brigadier General Bernard Banac said the campaign against illegal gambling would be intensified for the next seven months.

"Asahan natin ang kampanya laban sa iligal na sugal ay paiigtingin side by side like the campaign against illegal drugs alinsunod sa programa ng ating Pangulo sa paglaban sa kriminalidad, ilegal na droga at korapsyon," Banac said.

Banac bared that Gamboa had received information about illegal gambling activities in Quezon City where Police Brigadier General Ronnie Montejo heads the Quezon City Police District.

"Well, meron lamang persistent report na nakakarating kay General Gamboa at nagbigay naman siya ng kaniyang babala. So this is just a fair warning to all," Banac said.

Meanwhile, Banac clarified that the warning is for all police unit commanders and not just for the QCPD chief.

"Hindi naman directly kay General Montejo but para sa lahat ng mga PNP
commanders natin at directors," Banac said.

Banac said before relieving a police official, the overall performance of the policeman will be evaluated.

"In fact, nitong nakaraan ay sumailalim ang lahat sa three-month probationary period at napatunayan naman na ang lahat ay compliant at pumasa sa parameters na kanyang sinet," he said.

"So hindi mangangahulugan na kapag nagkaroon ng isang strike sa ating
performance ay kaagad magkakahulugan ng pagkakasibak." 

"Titingnan pa rin ang overall performance ng ating mga commanders at mga directors at mga chiefs of police at 'yan pa rin ang pagbabasehan kung magkakaroon ng mga administrative sanctions," Banac explained. —KBK, GMA News