By Gideon C. Corgue
PAGADIAN CITY – After successfully
implementing the fight against illegal drugs in Zamboanga del Sur, the
provincial officials led by Governor Antonio H. Cerilles declared on Friday an
all-out war against illegal gambling.
In a press conference held at the provincial
governor’s office, Cerilles said after a consultation with the provincial
officials they have come up with the decision to stop and condemn all forms of illegal
gambling activities.
”We condemn the existence of illegal gambling
activities since these become a social menace in our society,” Cerilles pointed
out.
Cerilles warned that a one-strike policy would be
applied to policemen who are protectors of this nefarious activity.
“In line with the thrust of the provincial
government and considering the ill effects of illegal gambling and its bad
influence on our children, I have issued Executive Order No. 5 series of 2013
aimed at reconstituting the anti-illegal gambling task force in the province,”
Cerilles announced.
The task force we formed, Cerilles said, “is a
group that would monitor the existence of these illegal gambling activities.”
Cerilles said his administration is now focused
on eliminating illegal gambling in the first 100 days.
“Today, we are declaring an all-out war against
all forms of illegal gambling activities such as video karera, illegal numbers
game, etc.,” Cerilles said.
The governor also disclosed that the task force
had come up with an anti-illegal gambling covenant with all its members as
signatories.
“We have affixed our signature as our tangible
manifestation of our strong desire, determination, and commitment to enforce all
anti-illegal gambling laws and illegal gambling in the province,” stressed
Cerilles.
The task force is composed of Zamboanga del Sur
Police Provincial Director PSSupt. Thomas Abellar as chairman and NBI head
agent Norman Decampong, Crime Investigation Detection Group head Chief Insp.
Romulo Talay Jr., Provincial Public
Safety Battalion Commander Supt. Michael Palermo and JH Cerilles State
College’s college of law dean Atty. Domingo Redelusa IV as members.
Cerilles also urged the media to expose and lambast
any local officials/law enforcers protecting illegal gambling operations.
“I appeal to the media to help me in this drive
so that all of us will have one stand against illegal gambling,” Cerilles
concluded. (PIA9)