Regional Police Office 6 Director, Chief Supt. Samuel Pagdilao, yesterday ordered the intensification of the campaign against jai alai and other forms of illegal gambling in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental after the successive apprehension of their operators and bet collectors.

Pagdilao, who was in Bacolod City yesterday for a command conference with the chiefs of police, said those caught involved in illegal gambling will be dealt with in accordance with the law. 

Earlier this month, Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia also ordered City Police officer-in-charge Senior Supt. Celestino Guara to stop the spread of jai alai in the city.

Leonardia also asked the Bacolod City Licensing Division to consult with the City Legal Office before issuing permits for any business establishment that wishes to operate jai alai.

Two men were arrested by the police Tuesday in Cadiz City for allegedly engaging in jai alai and recovered from them tipsters, tally sheets with the codename “Speed” and P722.25 in cash.

Pagdilao also said that Guara’s permanence as city director depends on the acceptance of Leonardia.  He said he will check why Guara’s status has remained as officer-in-charge for almost a year now.

Guara assumed office in August last year in lieu of Supt. Leo Irwin Agpangan, who was the city police officer in charge for at least seven months when former city director, Senior Supt. Ronilo Quebrar, moved to Camp Crame.

Meanwhile, Pagdilao said he finds Bacolod City very progressive and lot more peaceful than Iloilo City, during his courtesy call on Leonadia at the Bacolod Government Center yesterday

Pagdilao, also suggested to Leonardia that close circuit television cameras should be set up in the city’s main thoroughfares to prevent crimes.

Leonardia welcomed the suggestion and said the city government had long been considering the idea of setting up CCTV in key areas of the city.*EEG

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