4 Calabarzon chiefs of police relieved for failure to stop illegal gambling

Four chiefs of police from Region 4-A have been administratively relieved from their posts for failure to address the illegal numbers game in their areas.

On Monday, Region 4-A director Chief Superintendent Ma.O Aplasca said that Superintendent Carlos Barde was relieved as Lipa City chief of police; Superintendent Geovanny Emerick Sibalo was relieved as Sto. Tomas Municipal Police Station chief; Superintendent Ronan Claravall was relieved as San Pablo City Police Station chief; and Superintendent Zeric Soriano was relieved as San Pedro Municipal Police Station chief.

The order was effective August 11.

The relieved chiefs of police are now assigned in the Provincial Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit (PPHAU) in their respective Police Provincial Offices and will face administrative proceedings to assess the extent of their liabilities.

Aplasca said the relief was in line with the pronouncement of the PNP chief Director General Ronald Dela Rosa to relieve unit commanders across the country if after fifteen days they will fail to stop illegal numbers game in their respective areas.

The deadline will be on Tuesday.

The Region 4-A chief said even before the directive came, he already ordered an all out war against illegal gambling and directed his men to clear their areas of all forms of illegal number games.

“The day I have assumed the position as Calabarzon’s regional director, I have been very vocal on my desire to eradicate illegal number games in the region. Prior to the directive of the Chief PNP, we have started this campaign and we are progressively gaining positive results. But despite of the reminders, unfortunately there are still COPs who fell short of the directive,” he said.

The war on illegal gambling is one of the priorities of the Duterte administration and under Executive No 13, it orders the PNP and other concerned agencies to work together and intensify effort against illegal numbers game.

Interior and Local Government officer-in-charge said Catalino Cuy on Monday that the campaign against illegal numbers game requires a whole of nation approach.

He said illegal gambling will not flourish without the consent of local government executives.

“We believe hindi naman magkakaroon ng illegal gambling sa ibang lugar kung walang tolerance ng local government doon,” he said.

“So ‘yan ay panawagan na rin para sa law enforcement natin na eto support itong campaign ito sa illegal gambling kasi it affects din ‘yung kabuhayan lalo na yung mahihirap,” he said. — Amita Legaspi/RSJ, GMA News