By Gideon C. Corgue
PAGADIAN CITY – Twenty four units of video karera machines (VKMs) confiscated by policemen were destroyed Tuesday by the Zamboanga del Sur Police Provincial Office (ZSPPO) at Camp Abelon headquarters this city.
Provincial Director Senior Superintendent Thomas Abellar, the Anti-Illegal Gambling Task Force (AIGTF) chair, led the destruction of the VKMs as witnessed by the local media and the public.
A pay loader pounded on the VKMs until completely destroyed.
Abellar in an interview said “the government is serious in its campaign against illegal gambling operations in the province.”
“The destruction of VKMs meant to show that the government is serious in its campaign against illegal gambling,” Abellar said adding that “the existence of illegal gambling is a social menace in our society.”
Abellar said he is proud of the Provincial Public Safety Company (PPSC) operatives for the successful seizure of VKMs from operators.
He said the operations conducted by his men, was in response to the directive issued by Governor Antonio Cerilles on July 26 to stamp out all forms of illegal gambling activities in the province.
“I am warning the operators to stop engaging in illegal gambling activities to avoid being penalized for violation of gambling laws,” Abellar declared. “We will pursue our operations against illegal gambling activities until these will be completely stopped,” he added.
Abellar also warned the illegal gambling operators that the government would never hesitate to file formal charges against them if they continue to operate VKMs in their establishments.
“We will also file charges against unscrupulous cops who act as maintainers or protectors of gambling machine operations,” Abellar emphatically stated. (PIA9)