ILOILO City – Three police officers have been relieved from their posts and are now under investigation for alleged involvement in illegal gambling, and specifically for receiving protection money from illegal games operators.
Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) director, Police Brigadier General Jack Wanky, said these were Police Non-commissioned Officers (PNCOs) from the Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO) and Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO).
They have been placed under restriction at the PRO-6’s Regional Police Holding and Administrative Unit (RPHAU).
“I have been telling my personnel not to engage in illegal gambling as they will face stricter sanctions should evidence warrant action against them. I ordered these three officers relieved while the investigation is underway,” said Wanky.
The immediate superiors of the three cops would be investigated, too, for command responsibility, he added.
Recent data from the PRO-6 showed that 391 illegal gamblers were arrested, and P206,328 in bet money was seized in April alone. This was the result of 127 police operations conducted by all city and provincial offices. Here are their accomplishments:
* Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office contributed 71 operations with 205 arrests
* Bacolod City Police Office conducted 11 operations resulting in 41 arrests
* Iloilo Police Provincial Office carried out 10 operations with 17 arrests
* Capiz Police Provincial Office executed 10 operations and made 15 arrests
* Iloilo City Police Office held nine operations with 69 arrests
* Antique Police Provincial Office organized seven operations with 16 arrests
* Aklan Police Provincial Office executed five operations, resulting in 17 arrests
* Guimaras Police Provincial Office carried out four operations with 11 arrests
The Iloilo City Police Office achieved the highest number of arrests in a single operation, which occurred on April 20, 2024, in Iloilo City, capturing 29 individuals.
“Again, I would like to remind all police personnel to steer clear of illegal gambling and drug payola,” said Wanky./PN
