A TASK force that will spearhead the fight against illegal gambling in Cagayan de Oro City has finally taken shape with law enforcers working hand in hand with other stakeholders.
The anti-illegal gambling task force is composed of eight offices and includes all village chiefs working together to put an end to the city's perennial problem.
The task force, however, will become fully operational once Mayor Oscar Moreno signs the executive order drafted by the City Council committee on games and amusement chaired by Councilor Zaldy Ocon.
Moreno is in Vienna, Austria to attend a United Nations-sponsored conference on open and inclusive global economy from October 17 to October 21.
Astrid Bana, president of Misamis Oriental-Cagayan de Oro Lotto Agents Association, Inc. (MOCLAAI), said the city's task force against illegal gambling will be composed of representatives from the Philippine National Police (PNP), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), village chiefs, City Legal Office, City Prosecutors Office, Regulatory and Complaint Board (RCB), representatives of MOCLAAI and the media.
Bana said the task force will be split in two groups, enforcement on the one hand and monitoring and intelligence gathering on the other.
"Structure lang sa ang na-discuss during sa committee meeting after naa nay executive order tuloy-tuloy na dayon," Bana said.
The leader of the PCSO-authorized lotto agents said the task force will convene again draw up the specifics of each member’s roles once Moreno initials the executive order.
Bana said MOCLAAI is hopeful village officials will cooperate and show their sincerity in the campaign against illegal gambling activities.
Public officials have been warned regarding their liability under the anti-illegal gambling law if found that they allowed illegal gambling operations within their jurisdictions.
"Gilakip gyud nato ang mga kapitan kay sila man nasayod sa ilang mga lugar aron ipakita gayud nga sincero sila sa ilang kampanay ug pasuporta," Bana said.
MOCLAAI had earlier announced that they have come up with a list of 33 names with links to illegal gambling in Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro.
The list is now with the PCSO.
"Amo naman gihatag sa PCSO sila na dayon mohatag ana sa task force para sa further action. Kung tinud-on lang sa task force ang trabaho, hayan maundang gayud sa hingpit ang illegal gambling," Bana said.