MANILA, PHILIPPINES - The Philippines' "Dirty Harry" continued to wage war against crime, this time around turning his energies to destroying 70 units of confiscated video-karera machines and color game boards considered illegal gambling paraphernalia.
Manila City Mayor Alfredo Lim led Manila officials in the demolition of the gambling machines signifying the city's intent to campaign against any form of illegal gambling. The elderly mayor also called on police and community officials to step up the campaign at the local level by close coordination with residents to help them flush out hidden illegal gambling activities in the city's districts.
Illegal gambling is a continuing problem in many part of the Philippines and video-karera, a horse-racing machine fed by coins, is popular among youngster who, according to officials, would skip school and use their allowances to gamble on the machine. Although illegal, video-karera machines are rampant in the city usually hidden from prying eyes and often under the control of local officials or even the police.
The mayor especially called on local community officials to coordinate with the City Hall and police to report the presence of illegal gambling machines.
According to Mayor Lim:
"We truly need the cooperation of everyone to put a total stop to all kinds of vices especially those that lure minors."
The 70 video-karera and color game machines were confiscated after raids were conducted throughout the city by the police, local community officials, and personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Police received reports of the presence of the machines from community officials.
Police also noted that illegal gambling machines continued to be operated in the city by a certain Alias "Sacho", "Gina Gutierrez", and "Buboy Go" who all allegedly are protected by crooked cops.
Source: The Daily Tribune
Posted: February 23, 2011
