Mayor to police: Arrest Amago if you have basis

BACOLOD City Mayor Evelio R. Leonardia on Monday said that nobody in City Hall has the immunity when they commit acts that are contrary to law.

The mayor made the statement in reaction to reports that a certain Nonoy Amago who is in charge of assessing casual employees of the city is allegedly the operator of Meridien Vista Gaming Corporation in its jai alai operation in Bacolod.

Anonymous text messages were sent to the local media naming Amago to be engaged in the illegal numbers game.

“There were talks before and through text naming Amago. Arrest him if you have basis and proof,” Leonardia said, adding: “Until now, no arrest has been taken because of the lack of basis to pin down Amago.”

He asked the public and those who were circulating the text messages that they should prove what they were texting against Amago.

“I am not defending, protecting nor supporting anyone, including him who is allegedly engaging in illegal gambling. Even if they work for me, they have no immunity if they are indeed involved in illegal gambling,” Leonardia said.

“They should be arrested, if the reports against them are proven. On the other hand, let us be fair to everybody and let us not condemn people on the basis of text messages,” Leonardia said.

Bacolod City police director Ricardo dela Paz said that his office is intensifying its campaign against all forms of criminality, including illegal gambling.

Western Visayas police director Cepriano Querol is serious in the campaign against all criminality especially illegal gambling, dela Paz said.

He added that he has been receiving instructions from Querol to intensify the campaign against illegal gambling, which has been consistently operating even during Holy Week.

“We will not stop apprehending those involved in illegal gambling,” he said.

The One-Strike policy of the Regional Director to all Police Station Commanders stands, according to dela Paz. “If police officers are caught to be remiss in their responsibilities, they will be relieved by the regional director from their posts,” he stated.