Filipino police close thousands of lottery ticket shops in war on gambling corruption
- 5 years ago
Police in the Philippines have closed thousands of the country's lottery ticket shops after hardline president Rodrigo Duterte ruled them illegal.
Officers were seen at the weekend padlocking the buildings and sticking 'closed' signs on the front of them as officials vow to tackle corruption linked to gambling.
Supporters praised the president for his direct action to solve the problem but critics said that good causes that benefit from the lottery would lose out.
The shut down includes all gaming schemes operated, licensed, and franchised by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), the country's principal government agency for raising and providing funds for health programs, medical assistance and services, and charities.
“I have today ordered the closure, the stoppage of all gaming schemes … whatever nature, however done, that have franchises to do from the PCSO,” the president said in a video citing massive corruption as the reason for the shutdown.
The order was issued on July 26 and was implemented the next day.
In the video, Philippine National Police chief Oscar Albayalde personally padlocks one of the buildings with his personnel in the capital Manila.
Mr Albayalde said: "In compliance with the order of President Rodrigo Duterte, I immediately directed all Police Regional Offices nationwide to launch a massive crackdown against illegal gambling and arrest anyone who will continue to engage in illegal acts.
"Those businesses that continue to operate in connection with the franchises, licenses, concessions granted by the PCSO are hereby warned to cease and desist from engaging business, following the provisions stipulated in their franchises or face consequences under existing laws."
Officers were seen at the weekend padlocking the buildings and sticking 'closed' signs on the front of them as officials vow to tackle corruption linked to gambling.
Supporters praised the president for his direct action to solve the problem but critics said that good causes that benefit from the lottery would lose out.
The shut down includes all gaming schemes operated, licensed, and franchised by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), the country's principal government agency for raising and providing funds for health programs, medical assistance and services, and charities.
“I have today ordered the closure, the stoppage of all gaming schemes … whatever nature, however done, that have franchises to do from the PCSO,” the president said in a video citing massive corruption as the reason for the shutdown.
The order was issued on July 26 and was implemented the next day.
In the video, Philippine National Police chief Oscar Albayalde personally padlocks one of the buildings with his personnel in the capital Manila.
Mr Albayalde said: "In compliance with the order of President Rodrigo Duterte, I immediately directed all Police Regional Offices nationwide to launch a massive crackdown against illegal gambling and arrest anyone who will continue to engage in illegal acts.
"Those businesses that continue to operate in connection with the franchises, licenses, concessions granted by the PCSO are hereby warned to cease and desist from engaging business, following the provisions stipulated in their franchises or face consequences under existing laws."