More than 50 “video karera” and “fruit game” machines were destroyed by the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Camp Crame Tuesday in connection  with the directive of PNP chief Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa to intensify the campaign against illegal gambling. 

PNP Deputy Chief for Operations Police Lieutenant General Guillermo Eleazar led the ceremony for the  destruction of the illegal gambling machines.

Eleazar  said he believes that the operation of illegal gambling was the second social problem next to drug menace, noting that it could instigate dysfunctionalism in the society.

“We know that if we are to compare this to illegal drugs, makikita natin na puwede talaga ito magkaroon ng effect sa atin,” Eleazar said.

PNP’s Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group chief Police Colonel Ronald Lee said the illegal machines were seized  in depressed areas in the cities of Pasay, Muntinlupa and Caloocan. 

“Marami kaming mga nakuha. Ang lahat ng mga ito ay more than 50 pieces ng video karera at ‘yung mga nakumpiska namin na halaga ng mga coins ay more than P30,000,” Lee said. 

“Nagsimula itong operations namin nang nagpababa ng direktiba ang ating Chief PNP na ‘no take policy’ at ipinag-utos niya na mag-operate kami against illegal gambling and video karera,” he added.

According to Lee, a total of 24 civilians were also arrested during their four-day operations. Details on the arrested  persons were not disclosed./Stacy Ang