By Abigail C. Malalis and Annabelle L. Ricalde
Thursday, September 20, 2012
THE Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo) has been ordered to crack down all illegal lotto outlets in the city following reports that some of these outlets are being run by police officials.
On Wednesday, City Councilor Ian Mark Nacaya, chair of the city council committee on police, ordered all police station commanders to close down any reported outlet operating without certifications from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).
Nacaya spearheaded a meeting on Wednesday with all station commanders, the Games and Amusement Board and Mario Pelisco, chief of lottery operations of PCSO, where the issue on police officers allegedly collecting “protection money” from illegal lotto outlets was discussed.
During the meeting, Nacaya requested PCSO to submit a list of all authorized lotto outlets in the city.
“The committee supports the call of PCSO in its fight against these illegal outlets and we enjoined all police station commanders to carry out the order of arresting and filing appropriate charges to those who will be apprehended,” he said in a phone interview.
Nacaya added he will be expecting results of the order during the next committee meeting on Wednesday.
“If proven that the station commanders are not doing what has been ordered, I will recommend for reshuffling or removal from their stations,” Nacaya said.
Police Superintendent Salvador Radam, station commander of Carmen Police Station, said they have already been ordered by Police Regional Director Gil J. Hitosis to swoop down on these illegal lotto outlets even before the meeting.
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