Illegal gambling fight in the Philippines

The PCSO has threatened to reduce part of the revenue that the agency gets from gambling due to apparent lack of actions.

Philippines.- National policies to reduce illegal gambling activities were criticised by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). The governmental organisation expressed its disappointment with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and threatened to cut the share that it gets from the PCSO revenue.

Furthermore, the PCSO chair Jose Jorge Corpuz said they are willing to hold a meeting with PNP chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa in order to “clear grey areas,” as reported by the news outlet Inquirer. Corpuz also suggested that a PNP share could be destined to the National Bureau of Investigation and Armed Forces of the Philippines.

“Let us lay all our cards on the table and not hide any card. If [the arrests of illegal gamblers] were anemic, we have to double our efforts,” responded dela Rosa to the official statement where PCSO General Manager Alexander Balutan admitted the PNP antigambling policies were “anemic.”

“Sitting down with PCSO is an opportunity for both parties to clarify issues for the smooth implementation of STL (Small Town Lottery)” and “clear grey areas between the legal STL and the illegal numbers game,” commented PCSO General Manager.