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Even pols won’t be spared – IPPO director ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY RUBY P. SILUBRICO and GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
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ILOILO – “No one is above the law. Hindi tayo namimili ng huhulihin natin.”
That’s new police provincial director Superintendent Harold Tuzon talking tough against illegal gambling and other illegal activities.
But can he deliver?
A former mayor is one of the financiers of illegal gambling operations in northern Iloilo while a municipal councilor is raking in money from the illegal activity in the 2nd District, multiple sources told Panay News.
“Kahit sino huhulihin natin, even politicians or police officers, basta may sapat na ebedensiya,” Tuzon said.
The illegal gambling operations allegedly have the backing of a ranking police official who gets a five percent share from the proceeds.
Tuzon said he will conduct an investigation.
“I will not allow illegal activities in Iloilo,” said Tuzon.
At the provincial capitol, Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. said he had received information, too, about the former mayor in the illegal gambling trade. This will be investigated, he said.
The governor, however, said he was clueless about the Sangguniang Bayan member from the 2nd District who is also into illegal gambling.
“I made clear to (Tuzon) my priorities and instructions. I told him that in so far as illegal activities, especially illegal drugs and illegal gambling, are concerned, I’m absolutely non-negotiable,” said Defensor.
The governor met Tuzon on Sunday, a day before the police official was official installed as Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) director.
Tuzon had a command conference with his chiefs of police yesterday. His first instruction to them was to seal their respective areas from illegal activities.
He also warned his men not to involve themselves in shenanigans or risk facing administrative and criminal charges.
Sources told Panay News a police Senior Inspector from the Police Regional Office 6’s (PRO-6) Regional Special Operations Unit was coordinating with the illegal gambling operators on behalf of a high police official protecting them.
Tuzon said he will utilize IPPO’s intelligence personnel to verify illegal gambling reports.
According to sources, illegal gambling operations in the 4th and 5th districts kicked off two weeks ago after the ex-mayor met with partners – a certain Gary, a town councilor; a big official from the PRO-6; and other new illegal gambling operators – at a hotel in Mandurriao, Iloilo City.
Aided by massive anti-gambling operations ordered by the big police official against old operators who refused to give P1-million “goodwill money”, the new illegal gambling operators have effectively taken over the operations, sources told Panay News./PN
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