DUE to the continuous operations of illegal gambling in the different corners of the country, Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Ronald Dela Rosa called on members of the Police Regional Office in Cordillera to keep away from accepting bribes.
During his visit in Camp Bado Dangwa Friday morning, Dela Rosa called the personnel of the Cordillera not to collect "payolas" from gambling groups.
“Huwag kayong tatanggap ng pera galing sa illegal na gawain. Hindi niyo alam yung tinatanggap niyo na pera halo na iyan sa illegal-gambling at illegal drugs,” he emphasized in his message during the PNP’s 115th anniversary celebrated in the Province of Benguet.
Dela Rosa added that accepting gambling money is the same as supporting the operations of illegal drugs nationwide.
“Kaya maraming pulis na nagkakaloko-loko ang buhay kasi tanggap ng tanggap ng pera kasi akala nila pera lang iyon ng illegal gambling. Hindi nila alam yung infrastructure na ginagamit doon iyon rin ang ginagamit sa illegal drugs,” Dela Rosa said.
The PNP chief cited some personalities have offered gambling money after his assumption but he refused.
“Lately ko lang nalaman na napaka-laki pala ng pera sa illegal gambling para sayo. Never kong tatanggap iyan,” Dela Rosa said.
The director general said the marching orders to stop illegal drugs will be concluded in more than three months from now and that gambling will soon be the PNP’s next target.
Dela Rosa warned the PNP not to take in payola as the problem will only be tougher to be resolved if there will be uniformed personnel protecting them.
“After six months, what will happen? Kung mananalo man tayo sa campaign against illegal-drugs, ini-expect ng taumbayan mag-shift tayo sa illegal gambling. Kapag tumatanggap ka, tali yung kamay mo hindi ka na makapang-huli. Kaya huwag na huwag kayong tumanggap,” he pointed out.
The message was also sent to local political leaders, who attended the PNP chief’s first visit in the region.
“Two months has passed already. I hope we won’t only double, triple, but quadruple our efforts in order for us to hit our target. Otherwise, as I have said, we can’t afford to fail the Filipino people,” Dela Rosa said.
More or less all town mayors from Abra, Benguet, Kalinga, Mt. Province, Ifugao, and the City of Baguio came to present their support to Dela Rosa. Representatives including Allen Mangaoang (Kalinga), Joseph Bernos (Abra), Maximo Dalog (Mountain Province), Eleanor Bulut-Begtang (Apayao), Marquez Go (Baguio), and representatives of Benguet were also present during the event. (Mark Victor Pasagoy)