PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) Chief Oscar Albayalde warned policemen against dipping their hands into the illegal numbers game that may resurge because of the suspension of all gaming activities of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

“Remember meron naman tayong standing directive na tinatawag na one strike policy. Kapag mahulihan sila then mananagot ‘yung mga different police station commanders,” he said in an interview with reporters.

The PNP has closed 30,094 PCSO gaming outlets in compliance to the verbal directive of President Rodrigo Duterte to shutter these due to the alleged massive corruption at the PCSO.

Of those shut down, 20,241 are Small Town Lottery outlets, 6,313 are lotto stores, 2,762 are Peryahan ng Bayan, and 778 are Keno outlets.

For his part, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said he would look into reports that there are several Scout Rangers who serve as protectors of individuals involved in illegal gambling operations.

"I will look into that," he said at a press briefing. "If that is true, we should not be guarding 'yung mga casino people. I will look into that," he said.

Albayalde earlier said there is a possible resurgence of the illegal numbers game “jueteng” following the closure of the PCSO gaming activities. (SunStar Philippines)