Police ‘protecting illegal gambling’

THE illegal gambling operations in Bacolod City reportedly continue because of the alleged widespread protection from among the ranks of the Philippine National Police.

Text messages circulated in the city, saying the big-time jai alai operator who enjoys police protection is the person behind the operations of jai alai outfit codenamed “Bullseye.”

“This illegal gambling operator is allegedly enjoying police protection from the local police to the high-ranking regional police officials,” one of the text message stated.

Regional Police Director General Cipriano Querol could not be reached for comment, as of this posting Sunday.

Before, the jai alai operator used the codename "Target," which was later changed to "Guitar." Now, the operator uses "Bullseye," a text message said.

A source privy to the operation of jai alai in Bacolod said that daily proceeds from the illegal numbers game reach to millions of pesos.

Elements of the Regional Special Operations Group allegedly arrested only small-time bet collectors to make it appear that they are serious in the campaign against illegal gambling, the source said.

“How come that only the small-time bet collectors are being arrested? What about the big names in the operations of masiao?” a text message said.

Police officials in the city have said that they were closely monitoring the big-time operators of illegal gambling, as they already have their names.

However, until now, they failed to address the problem on illegal gambling and failed to arrest the people behind the operations in the city.