BAGUIO CITY December 10 – Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan directed elements of the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) to sustain and intensify their anti-gambling operations in the identified illegal gambling joints in the different parts of the city to prevent repeated reports on the presence of gambling operations being brought to his personal attention.
The local chief executive pointed out the need to sustain the anti-gambling operations because the same is a ‘cat and mouse affair’ which significantly affects the image of the city as a character city.
“We thank concerned citizens who continue to provide us with reliable information on the existence of gambling joints in the different parts of the city. We have to be consistent with our stand that we are against gambling, legal or illegal, because it is a social menace that tends to affect the well being of a person,” Domogan stressed.
He expressed disappointment over the fact that the subsequent operations of law enforcers to the identified gambling dens turn out to be negative, saying that the anti-gambling operations should not stop there but instead there should be a solid intelligence build up in order for illegal gambling operators to be apprehended.
In a letter to the mayor, concerned residents of Lower Hanger petitioned the local chief executive to work out the immediate closure of a gambling joint operated by individuals who are allegedly directly connected with some police officers that is why their illegal gambling operations still exists, saying that even minors are being allowed to play the different card games in the said gambling joint.
Domogan said there is no truth to the insinuations that the city government is tolerating gambling but instead, it has been aggressive in the fight against the proliferation of gambling, thus, the religious sector must also do their part in convincing their congregation not to patronize gambling so that their operations will naturally end up if there will be no patrons.
He reminded parents to be also circumspect in the upbringing of their children by teaching them the proper values in order for them to be righteous for them to become future responsible and dedicated leaders of our city.
Aside from the gambling joint along Lower Hanger Market, the city mayor cited other illegal gambling joints that were brought to his attention include that of Dampa along Legarda road, Batawa restaurant, monte joints and mah-jong dens in City Camp and other areas inside and the boundary of the city with that of La Trinidad and Itogon.
According to him, religious leaders should not be fed up in helping the city government in the campaign against illegal gambling because it is a fact that their parishioners or congregation listen to their valuable advises that is why educating the people on the proper values to be followed must be a joint effort not only among city officials but also community stakeholders.