TABUK CITY, Kalinga – During today’s City Peace and Order Council meeting, Mayor Darwin Estrañero issued a stern warning to all peryahan operators to cease using peryas as a front for illegal gambling in the city.
“I am ordering the PNP to confiscate any gambling paraphernalia found in these peryahans, file cases against those operating without permits from the city government, and effect their immediate arrest,” Estrañero said.
According to a report from the Philippine National Police (PNP)-Tabuk, the alarming rise of illegal gambling activities has been identified as the primary cause of city-wide robberies, constituting the largest percentage of index crimes in Tabuk.
Estrañero highlighted the detrimental effects of such deceptive practices wherein these innocent-looking peryas are being exploited by criminal elements and vowed to take strict action against those involved. While he emphasized that legitimate peryas are welcome and regulated in the city, he made it clear that any establishments acting as a front for illegal gambling operations would not be tolerated.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities or establishments that may be involved in illicit gambling operations.
It is important to note that engaging in illegal gambling and possessing gambling paraphernalia are punishable under the country’s anti-illegal gambling law, Presidential Decree 1602, as amended by RA 9287. By Ruth Cupang