BACOLOD City – The President’s decision to suspend Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) games may result to an increase in crimes, Negros Occidental police director Colonel Romeo Baleros said.
“Kung ang tao nagugutom talagang kakapit ‘yan sa patalim,” said Baleros, citing the thousands of workers affected by the suspension of Small Town Lottery, lotto, Keno and Peryahan ng Bayan games. (Last night, the Palace announced it had lifted the suspension order on lotto only. – Ed.)
Baleros added there was a possibility that those displaced by the suspension may engage in illegal activities such as snatching, theft, robbery, and illegal drugs.
Based on the record of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, 85 gaming stations of PCSO – including lotto, Small Town Lottery, Peryahan ng Bayan, and Keno – were closed down last Saturday.
Baleros is planning to conduct an assessment of crime volume two weeks before and two weeks after the closure.
“We will list down all the names and number of people affected by the closure,” he said.
Baleros added that he already informed the Police Regional Office-6 regarding this move.
“Because we can see the crime trend, if it is going up or going up down and we can make a recommendation,” he said./PN
