LOTTO outlet operators are contemplating on pressing charges against Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental officials over their perceived inaction on illegal gambling operations.
They also threatened to sue members of the National Police.
Astrid Jose Bana, president of the Cagayan de Oro-Misamis Oriental Legal Lotto Outlets Operators’ Association, said the group decided to file administrative charges against local officials before the Office of the Ombudsman.
Some officials, he said, just refused to help in campaign against illegal gambling operations.
Bana named Misamis Oriental Gov. Yevgeny Vincente Emano and Vice Gov. Jose Mari Pelaez as among those who have failed to act against the proliferation of illegal lotto outlets in the province.
But over local radio, Emano asked the organized lotto outlet operators for an immediate dialogue.
“Kinahanglan kini pagasabutan kung unsay angayan nga buhaton. Pwede man kita maghimo og task force against illegal gambling. Pwede sab sila ang chairman or vice versa,” Emano said.
He asked the group to give him a list of illegal lotto outlets and their operators or financiers.
Emano said he received information that some local government officials were protectors of illegal gambling activities in the province.
“Duna man gani’y mayor nga gidudahan nga maoy financier,” he said. He did not elaborate.
Bana said they would also charge police officials over their failure to carry out no-nonsense operations against the proliferation of illegal gambling activities, especially illegal “Suertres” operations.
He said there were many illegal lotto outlets, and “video karera,” “tulilong” and illegal cockfighting operations have mushroomed in the barangay levels, and the police were merely sitting on the job.
Bana said some 321 lotto outlet owners here have long been complaining that their revenues have been registering sharp drops because of the illegal operations. Some, he said, were considering closing shop.
Misamis Oriental Provincial Police Office spokesman Wen Bajenio said there was no “solid information” against suspected illegal gambling financiers or operators.
“Kung dunay mobarog nga mga testigo batok sa mga gitumbok nga illegal Suertres financiers, dili kami magpanuko sa pagdakop ug pagbalhog kanila sa prisohan,” he said. (lito rulona)
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