Stronger drive vs illegal numbers game ordered

By Kit Bagaipo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 07:01:00 04/27/2009


TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol—The Central Visayas Police Regional Office (PRO-7) has ordered provincial commanders in the region to launch a stronger campaign against the illegal numbers game called “Swertres.”

PRO-7 acting director Chief Superintendent Federico Terte also warned on Thursday that he would remove from their posts the police officers who fail to stop the illegal numbers game.

Terte and Philippine National Police Director General Jesus Verzosa visited Bohol Thursday to inaugurate the new police headquarters in Batuan town and to attend the groundbreaking of the police headquarters in Balilihan town.

Terte said the PRO-7 would send a team to different provinces in the region to help enforce the anti-Swertres campaign.

The apprehension of two Swertres operators in the same area by a police team from another town or unit would mean the removal of the station commander, Terte said.

The relief of two police chiefs in a province would result in the removal of the provincial police director while the relief of three provincial directors would also mean that the regional director would be axed, Terte added.

He directed the provincial directors in Central Visayas to submit within the month an update on the anti-Swertres campaign.

Terte also directed the police chiefs to coordinate with local government officials to make the campaign against illegal gambling a priority in their respective localities.

He called on all sectors, including some members of the media who have been giving tips and results of “Swertres” over the radio programs, to help in the efforts to minimize illegal gambling.