BY MA. THERESA LADIAO
ILOILO – To combat illegal gambling in Western Visayas, the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) has conducted 127 operations across the region throughout April this year.
PRO-6 director Brigadier General Jack Wanky said 391 persons were arrested and P206,328 in bet money was confiscated from the suspects.
The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office led in terms of number of operations at 71 and netted 205 individuals.
Other police units’ accomplishments are the following:
* Bacolod City Police Office – 41 arrests from 11 operations
* Iloilo Police Provincial Office – 17 arrests from 10 operations
* Capiz Police Provincial Office – 15 arrests from 10 operations
* Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) – 69 arrests from nine operations
* Antique Police Provincial Office – 16 arrests from seven operations
* Aklan Police Provincial Office – 17 arrests from five operations
* Guimaras Police Provincial Office – 11 arrests from four operations
The ICPO obtained the highest number of arrested persons in a single operation.
On April 20, 29 individuals engaged in an alleged poker tournament were arrested at Aurora Subdivision, Barangay Villa Anita, City Proper.
Those caught included a member of the Philippine National Police (a Police Sergeant) and the Bureau of Fire Protection (Fire Officer 1), as well as a Korean national.
Wanky lauded the collective efforts and commitment of law enforcement personnel to eradicate illegal gambling activities in the region.
“While your performance is commendable, I urge all unit commanders across the region to further intensify our campaign against illegal gambling. Those who flout the law must be continually targeted and brought to justice,” emphasized Wanky./PN
