The Philippine National Police (PNP) has reportedly carried out upwards of 50,000 operations over the country from the start of this year, according to Chief General Benjamin Acorda Jr, as reported by the Philippine News Agency.
Presenting an extensive analysis of their efforts, Acorda Jr confirmed that the police force is steadfast in its commitment to tackling illegal gambling operations. Their newfound dedication isn’t merely a sudden boost in motivation. It seems that police departments, their chiefs, and their staff now face sanctions if they neglect to act on information and investigate potential illegal gambling activities within their areas of control.
Dubbed the doctrine of “command responsibility”, this approach intends to ensure that officers genuinely engage with the problem. Acorda Jr stressed that the existence of any illegal gambling operations would be dealt with severely, as they are seen to exploit the most vulnerable members of society and contribute to broader societal issues.
The official stated resolutely, “We are prepared to marshal all necessary resources and implement strict measures in partnership with PCSO to extinguish this threat.” Common illegal gambling activities reported include engagements like cockerel fights and even their digital equivalent, e-sabong.
Philippine Police Advance on POGOs
Acorda Jr affirmed that the police are now aggressively clamping down on online gambling sites, as well as their operators and any individuals promoting these markets or targeting potential players. Despite their determined efforts, they’ve had to overcome some obstacles in their progressive path:
While our commitment remains steadfast, there have been issues in enforcing the law. For instance, online betting is not explicitly mentioned in our statutory documents. So, even if we bust an operation, the betting is done online leaving us with no physical evidence to present before the courts.
Benjamin Acorda Jr, chief general, PNP
The Philippines is making strides to combat illegal gambling in all its forms and guises. Authorities are not only adopting a stern stance towards POGOs but also cracking down on sublicensing. Simultaneously, efforts are being ramped up to close down illegal gaming sites, targeting international customers, particularly Chinese and US citizens, through unscrupulous operations.
The Philippines’ global standing has suffered a blow of late due to the association of its name with illegal activities such as human trafficking, and dubious schemes involving cryptocurrency and gambling over recent months.
