TACLOBAN CITY – The regional chief of the Department of Interior and Local Government here yesterday expressed their back-up support to the intensified campaign of Chief Supt. Dionisio Coloma Jr. against the new illegal gambling scheme proliferating in different parts of the region.

DILG Regional Director William Paler told Express that with the standing circular of the department its drive against any form of illegal gambling activity should always be supported by the DILG, local government units and the PNP as the primary enforcer.

“Well, of course, we have that standing circular to that effect, and we are happy to note that PNP is doing its best to immediately contain this newly-found illegal gambling activity in the region and the PNP should really give their effort to dismantle groups of illegal gambling financiers,” Paler told Express.

Paler also disclosed that anti-illegal gambling campaign is one of the major focus under the leadership of DILG Secretary Angelo Reyes.

With the well-strengthened campaign of the PNP against illegal gambling, Paler at the same time urged all local chief executives in the six provinces in the region to fully extend their support against this drive.

“I believe some of the local chief executives are doing their best to immediately stop illegal gambling activities that may proliferate in their area of jurisdiction; let us help one another to give pour focus on this campaign,” Paler said.

Earlier, Coloma warned all illegal gambling financiers, who he claimed were already identified, to stop their operations because the police will really strike hard against them.

He also said that anti-illegal drug campaign is not only their major campaign but the newly-found gambling locally known as “pick 3,” a game that is taken from the lotto result.

Last week, the city police filed criminal charges against three “picks 3” general coordinators who were arrested in an operation conducted by the PNP Special Operations Group and the Intelligence division.

The proliferation of the “pick 3” is now proliferating in three Samar provinces and in Southern Leyte.

The PNP in the region has also launched “Oplan Bulabog” which primary aim is against illegal gambling.

The DILG regional chief also appealed to all municipal mayors in the region to avoid involvement on this gambling activity because the DILG Secretary is closely monitoring this illegal activity.