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BY MERIANNE GRACE EREÑETA
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ILOILO – Bingawan is not only drug-free. If Mayor Mark Palabrica were to be believed, his municipality, it is also gambling-free.
“We have also cleared our town of illegal gambling. We know that illegal drug money is tied to illegal gambling,” said Palabrica.
Bingawan in Iloilo’s 3rd District was declared drug-free in March 2014 yet.
It was again recognized as such during the anniversary celebration of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in June this year, together with the municipalities of Tubungan and Mina.
Palabrica said Bingawan’s being drug-free also resulted to its being crime-free.
“Philippine National Police records show Bingawan having zero street crimes,” said the mayor.
During the inauguration of newly-elected officials of Bingawan in June, Palabrica warned those into illegal gambling to stay away from Bingawan.
“Nagapati ako nga kon magsulod ang ilegal nga pasugal, nagasulod man ang ilegal nga druga. Indi kamo (illegal gamblers) welcome diri. Didto lang kamo sa iban nga banwa,” said Palabrica.
The mayor cited his constituents’ cooperation with the local government in the campaign against illegal drugs and gambling.
Iloilo Police Provincial Office spokesperson Chief Inspector Aron Palomo, however, said they have yet to verify if Bingawan is really free from illegal gambling.
“We have yet to confirm that. If they are really a gambling-free municipality, they need to furnish us with a copy of a resolution from their Sangguniang Bayan declaring their municipality as such,” Palomo told Panay News./PN
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