Regional police director Brig. Gen. Ignatius Albert Ferro says he is ordering a probe on allegations that Peryahan ng Bayan is still operating in Bohol, according to a report by Cebu Daily News.
In the event the allegations are proven true, Ferro already gave orders to Bohol police provincial director Col. Joselito Clarito to end the illegal gambling operations in the province, the same report says.
Illegal gambling is punishable under existing laws, and illegal gambling operations may also put the bettors at risk due to lack of social distancing when engaging in illegal gambling activities.
So if we will permit illegal gambling, we are also permitting the spread of the disease,” the chief of the Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 said.
The Philippine Charity Sweeperakes Office (PCSO) announced the suspension of the Peryahan ng Bayan games now known as Peryahan Games, per President Duterte’s instruction.
Ferro made it clear that since he assumed his post in February 2020, he has been working to clamp down illegal gambling activities.
Furthermore, Ferro also warned the policemen in the region to immediately file charges against illegal gambling operators or face sanctions related to neglect of duty for failure to curb the illegal gambling activities within their area of responsibility.