MikeLigalig.com

By Rey Anthony Chiu
PIA-Bohol

Quixotic amidst a lonely war against a wide perception of unstoppable windmill of illegal gambling activities here in Bohol, Police Provincial Director Edgardo Ingking said he puts into gear something which is “not your usual law enforcement process.”

But “not your usual law enforcement process” is not exactly going against the book.

For PSSupt. Ingking who has personally ordered a zero tolerance on illegal gambling especially on the illegal numbers betting game called swertres, card betting in tong-its and piyat-piyat, illegal cockfights commonly called tokis and tigbakay, it is putting the heat by using the book.

And by putting the heat, he means “application of lawful pressure on the officials and officers involved.”

I do not believe in the number of apprehensions we can make as an indicator of success, it should be a real stopping of the illegal gambling and we would like to ask for your support on this, Pssupt. Ingking appealed.

The topic on illegal gambling has hounded the radio lanes this week so much that Boholanos have heard of the exchange of dares between local civil officials and the police authorities as they pass the buck from each other.

City Mayor Dan Lim has earlier denied the allegations that he is a gambling protector, adding that it is the police’s job to stop swertres. Nevertheless, he lauded the provincial director’s stand even if he only half believes it could be successful.

At the Kapihan sa PIA, Thursday November 15, PSSupt Ingking reiterated his stand even as residents who know of some police officers’ involvement in the illegal games operation continue to mock the Bohol top cop with his tough talk.

“I believe this should not be easy for the provincial leadership, after all I somehow have gone to believe some of our police have been involved,” he admitted as the Department of Interior and Local Government provincial head Rustica Mascariñas listened.

Radio programs sharing the discussion on the issue receive text messages implicating local officials and police officers operating or collecting protection money from gambling operators and financiers.

Mascariñas explained that under existing laws, government officials and employees could get stiffer penalties when caught supporting illegal activities.

“DILG does not tolerate elected officials who actively involve in the operation of illegal games,” she stressed.
     
Asked how he would do about with his plan, Ingking said he intended to hit on the conscience of the town station commanders so they could lead a sincere pressure group to drive operations to a halt.

Ingking reported that he has just finished a command conference with the town cop heads and reiterated his zero-tolerance position for cascading to the ranks. He also accordingly solicited their support in coordinating local anti-gambling forum as posters on illegal gambling gets to be posted in public areas.

The posters, he said would contain ongoing police campaigns, establish a police contact line through phone or text so the people could report illegal activities.

To top it all, the police would format a police radio program so it becomes a direct inter-action between the Camp Dagohoy officials, the local police and the residents who aid or name officers involved.

By that, the people could immediately report illegal activities, the police to respond and react on allegations of irregularity while in the service and at the same time give the community a big role in crime prevention, Ingking explained.

“We hope our approach this time will succeed as I can assure you all of provincial leadership’s  seriousness, he closed with another appeal for community help.


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