LAW enforcement officials have vowed to arrest government employees and “more or less” 10 police officers who might be seen gambling in casinos, underlining government’s zero tolerance in compliance with President Rodrigo Duterte’s order.
National Capital Region Police Office head Director Oscar Albayalde said Thursday coordination had been reached with blue guard officials in casinos to tightly watch the identified but unnamed “more or less 10 police officers” and government officials for potential arrest.
Meanwhile , the Philippine National Police on Thursday reminded anew government employees regarding a memorandum circular prohibiting government personnel from entering, staying or playing at gambling casinos.
This comes after authorities arrested a policeman Tuesday after he got into an altercation while playing baccarat in a casino-hotel in Pasay.
The police officer who was caught gambling in a casino in Parañaque City leads a simple life even if P600,000 worth of casino chips were recovered from him, PNP Directorate for Operations chief Director Camilo Cascolan claimed on Wednesday.
Supt. Adrian Antonio, a 35-year-old administrative officer at the Office of the Directorate for Operations at Camp Crame who was nabbed Tuesday night at the City of Dreams Resort and Casino, “is a good officer,” according to Cascolan.
Cascolan is under the custody of the Southern Police District.
Cascolan said he has never received any report before about the gambling activities of his subordinate.
PNP spokesperson Chief Supt. John Bulalacao also confirmed that a lifestyle check was being conducted by the PNP Internal Affairs Service on Antonio.
Antonio faces criminal charges of disobedience and for violating Republic Act No. 6713, or the the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
In Memorandum Circular No. 6 dated Sept. 20, 2016, the Office of the President directed all government officials and employees to strictly observe and comply with the prohibition against going to gambling places, citing “its negative effect on the public perception of government service as a whole.”
“Mere entry or presence of government officials and employees in a gambling casino shall be considered as conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service,” the directive ordered.
Albayalde said their surveillance showed Antonio was a regular visitor of the casino.
“If you are in the government service you are public servant, there are certain restrictions. Remember… you have to abide by the policies, rules and regulations that governs a government employee…if you cannot follow, you must resign from government service, as simple as that,” he added.