PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief Ronald Dela Rosa warned his men Wednesday, January 24, of possible dismissal from service if they are caught gambling in casinos.
“‘Yung mag-iinsist na mag-casino ba-bye sa inyo. Idi-dismiss ko kayo. Kahit sabihin n’yo na mayaman kayo, hindi kayo pwede sa casino. Habang pulis ka, susunod ka sa utos. Ang utos ni Presidente wag magsugal,” Dela Rosa said during the ceremonial unveiling of warning signs that prohibit government employees from entering casinos.
(Those who insist on going to casinos, goodbye. I will dismiss you. Even if you claim to be rich, you are prohibited from entering a casino. You follow orders for as long as you are in the police service. The President has ordered: No gambling.)
The event was held at the Solaire Resort and Casino in Paranaque City.
Dela Rosa said erring cops conduct their illegal transactions, including the laundering of their money from illegal drugs, in casinos.
“’Yung gambling associated with corruption kapag ang nagga-gamble ang government employee, magkano lang ba sahod ng government employee then engage s’ya sa gambling sa casino, meaning he has to look for other sources and most likely ‘yung source na yan kung hindi manggagalig sa government fund or galing sa corruption,” he said.
Dela Rosa said policemen who would violate such order may face administrative charges of grave misconduct which may lead to dismissal from the police service.
For her part, Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) chairperson Andrea Domingo said they reported to the Department of Interior and Local Government at least 20 local government unit officials who was reported to have been entering casinos.
“I remember we warned congressmen and they immediately left so hindi lang, sabi namin sir bawal, kung pwede na lang umalis kayo. Syempre nirerespeto ng tao namin ano. So umaalis naman kaagad kapag sinabihan ng ganun,“ she said.
“Wala pa naman nag-insist mag stay. Minsan may nakikiusap pwede po kami maglaro ay hindi pwede po lalo ngayon aarestuhin kayo ng pulis, takot na sila ngayon kasi mahirap maaresto ng pulis doon sa area kung saaan ka naglilingkod,” she added. (SunStar Philippines)