Negros Oriental police director, 6 police chiefs relieved over gambling proliferation

Seven police commanders in Negros Oriental, including its provincial director, have been relieved by the Philippine National Police (PNP) over the proliferation of illegal gambling.

In a social media update on Sunday, the PNP said the seven commanders have been relieved after six individuals were arrested in their respective municipalities or jurisdictions for allegedly soliciting and collecting bets for illegal numbers games during an operation on August 28, 2026.

“The positive operations prompted immediate administrative action, resulting in the relief of the Chiefs of Police of Ayungon, Tayasan, Sibulan, Pamplona, Bayawan, and Guihulngan, as well as the Provincial Director of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office, whose area of responsibility covers the entire province,” the PNP said.

Following the incident, the Deputy Regional Director for Operations of PRO NIR (Police Regional Office - Negros Island Region) was designated as Officer-in-Charge of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office in addition to his current duties

According to PNP, the relief of the seven police commanders was carried out under its One-Strike Policy.

PNP Chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said it is not enough for them to simply arrest offenders, adding that every chief of police must ensure that illegal gambling has no place within their jurisdiction.

“Police leadership demands accountability, and we will not hesitate to impose decisive action when commanders fail to address illegal activities within their areas of responsibility. Our operations must be backed by firm command responsibility and sustained enforcement,” he said.

Meanwhile, the six suspects from the commanders' municipalities were arrested for violating Republic Act No. 9287, or the Anti-Illegal Numbers Games Law.

Police recovered from the suspects betting slips, improvised betting receipts, claim stubs, notebooks containing various number combinations, ballpens, marked bet money, and cash believed to be proceeds from the illegal numbers games. — Lyjah Tiffany Bonzo/BM, GMA News