THE Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) is waiting for the release of the court order to completely stop the operation of Peryahan ng Bayan by Globaltech Mobile Online Corporation in Burgos-Lacson Streets, Bacolod City.
Retired Marine Major Manuel Fraginal, chief of the Nationwide Inter-Brach Security Monitoring of the PCSO, said Tuesday, April 17, that Globaltech violated Republic Act 9287 or Anti-illegal Gambling Law, and charges will be filed against the operator.
On Monday afternoon, April 16, the PCSO team, headed by Fraginal, placed the “notice of closure” tarpaulin in front of the establishment, but minutes after the team left the area, personnel of Globaltech removed the said tarpaulin and continued with their operation.
“The operation of the Globaltech is illegal because they do not have a permit from PCSO. They are operating using our logo which is illegal because we did not authorize them,” Fraginal said.
Globaltech started its operation in Bacolod in 2014. They transferred to Burgos-Lacson Streets on March 8 this year.
Fraginal noted that on February 27, 2018, PCSO issued certification from the general manager terminating the Deed of Authority of Globaltech to operate Peryahan ng Bayan.
On March 2, 2016, PCSO issued a Board Resolution 51, Series of 2016, terminating the Deed of Authority of Globaltech to operation Peryahan ng Bayan and on October 13, 2017, Pasig City Regional Trial Court Branch 161 denied Globaltech's motion for issuance of a writ of injunction.
Fraginal also questioned why Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) did not arrest the personnel of Globaltech who are operating the illegal number games.
“Policemen are arresting those engaged on cockfighting, but this high profile illegal numbers game continues to operate here,” Fraginal said.
“I have an authority from the Office of the President to monitor and stop the operation of the illegal numbers game,” he said.
He said President Rodrigo Duterte earlier issued Executive Order 13, requiring all the local government units and law enforcement agencies to clear their areas on illegal gambling.
Fraginal recalled that in March 2018, they also stopped the illegal operation of Globaltech in Albay.
Lito Estember, officer-in-charge of Globaltech and provincial administrator, earlier said the team of Fraginal failed to present the identification cards that they are authorized personnel of PCSO.
He said Fraginal only presented a calling card that he's an officer from PCSO and the court order he presented was dated in 2017.
“I have an ID and if they think that I am wrong, I am challenging them to file charges against me,” Fraginal said.
He said this incident will reach the attention of Duterte.
Senior Superintendent Francisco Ebreo, BCPO officer-in-charge, said the police did not commit any violation as they were only tasked to provide assistance during the operation upon the request of the PCSO.
Ebreo said they cannot arrest the seven individuals inside the establishment because they cannot force them to leave.
“We can be charged with human rights violation and illegal detention if we forced them to leave,” he added.
Ebreo also said they were not able to catch anybody playing the illegal numbers game when they arrived in the area.
He said “it is beyond their duty to close the establishment” because it is only the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the sheriff who can close it through a court order.
Ebreo said they did not commit any violation because police only did their job.
“We know our limitations,” he added.
The PCSO has yet to coordinate with them after the operation. (Glazyl Y. Masculino)