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The illegal activities are reportedly conducted in broad daylight, attracting participants that include tricycle drivers and daily wage earners, and drawing them away from their more productive jobs.
AFP
MANILA, Philippines — A “determined and consistent campaign against illegal gaming” should be backed by local government units,” to keep Pangasinan province free from these practices that have been eroding the moral foundations of our communities.
“Police operations leading to a number of arrests are not enough without the full backing of government,” a growing tourism-oriented movement said, citing the expanding presence of illegal gambling activities — like color games, “drop ball,” and other unauthorized betting schemes.
Voltaire Tolentino, founder of Fight Against Illegal and Rigged Games (F.A.I.R. Games), said that after every arrest, these unlawful activities resume shortly after enforcement actions.
He urged the provincial Capitol and other local government units (LGUs) in Pangasinan and neighboring provinces to fully support continued police enforcement against the unabated operations of illegal gambling.
Tolentino is a leading advocate for local tourism and is one of Pangasinan’s leading content creators. He has been recognized for his compelling digital narratives, especially in promoting the province’s tourist destinations. Tolentino has sought to inspire the youth to pursue meaningful activities, steering them away from harmful and unproductive activities like illegal gambling.
F.A.I.R. Games founder Voltaire Tolentino
Tolentino said he is aware of laws that separate lawful and unlawful gambling, and that the government must direct people’s attention to what it allows to ensure proper enforcement and accountability. He cited the existence of a government-authorized Small Town Lottery (STL).
The STL system, which is regulated by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), is intended to provide a legal alternative to illegal numbers games.
The illegal activities are reportedly conducted in broad daylight, attracting participants that include tricycle drivers and daily wage earners, and drawing them away from their more productive jobs.
Authorities are expected to continue enforcing Presidential Decree No. 1602, which penalizes not only operators and bettors but also individuals found to be protecting or facilitating illegal gambling activities.
Similar incidents have also been reported in neighboring provinces, where authorities have apprehended suspects allegedly connected to illegal gambling networks, some of whom were reportedly traced back to Pangasinan.
The STL program was originally established to curb illegal numbers games such as Jueteng. It was offered as a legal alternative and, at the same time, generated funds for government social programs.
Despite this, Tolentino noted that illegal bookies and unlicensed games continue to operate alongside STL, creating what he described as a “parallel gambling economy” that contradicts the system’s intended purpose. (Contributed story)
