Palace: Duterte won’t hesitate to remove officials protecting gambling lords – Philippine Star

MANILA, Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte would not hesitate to dismiss or order the filing of cases against officials who protect gambling lords or use his anti-illegal gambling campaign to extort money, Malacaang said Sunday.

Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said the president does not backtrack on his campaign against unlawful activities, including illegal gambling.

The president has issued a number of stern warnings against people in government. If they are caught extorting money or practicing corruption, they will be the first ones to go, Andanar told state-run radio station dzRB.

He wont think twice about removing or filing cases against any government official involved in corruption especially those involved in illegal drugs, illegal gambling and the stealing of public funds.

Early this month, Duterte issued an executive order (EO) designating the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) as the lead agencies in the intensified campaign against illegal gambling.

In his thirteenth EO, the president stressed that the government condemns the existence of illegal gambling activities as a widespread social menace and source of corruption. He also claimed that illegal gambling has become an influential factor in an individual's disregard for the value of dignified work, perseverance and thrift.

The PNP and the NBI were instructed to work with the Justice, Interior and Local Government and Information and Communications Technology departments in its anti-illegal gambling efforts. They were also ordered to act promptly on requests of gambling regulators to probe or put a stop to illegal gambling activities in their respective areas.

No duly licensed online gambling operator, or provider of activities and services related to or in support of online gambling activities, shall directly or indirectly allow persons who are physically located outside the territorial jurisdiction of the licensing authority to place bets, or in any way participate, in the games conducted by such operator, whether through an online portal or similar means, the order read.

Nothing herein, however, shall prohibit the duly licensed online gambling operator from allowing the participation of persons physically located outside the Philippine territory.

The Office of the President, through an authorized representative, will oversee the implementation of the order. The representative will work with relevant agencies and recommend to the president regulations and directives that would curb illegal gambling and enhance efforts to generate revenues from legitimate gambling operations.

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., Cagayan Economic Zone Authority, Aurora Pacific Economic Zone Authority, the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan and other regulators were instructed to submit reports on the progress of the campaign against illegal gambling every six months.

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Palace: Duterte won't hesitate to remove officials protecting gambling lords - Philippine Star