Baguio Council to police: Stop gambling activities

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY – The new city council, in a special session, asked the Baguio City Police office “to immediately stop all kinds of illegal gambling activities in all parts of the city including those in the guise of fund-raising activities.”

            

Councilor Leandro Yangot Jr. moved for the closure of all illegal gambling operations in the city noting that many of these activities use the fund-raising ploy.

            

“It is a sad reality that these illegal activities happen in many parts of the city including the city market and Rizal Park areas,” Yangot said.

            

Vice Mayor Daniel Farinas noted that the city council recently passed a series of resolutions peppering the police with the same request.

            

Still the body decided that there is no harm in reiterating said request. 

            

In September last year, the city council adopted Resolution No. 220 series of 2012 authored by former Councilor Philian Weygan-Allan, urging the various sectors to keep the anti-gambling stance in face of the increasing incidence of gambling in the city caused by the proliferation of legalized forms of gambling like casino, cockfighting, horse racing, lottery, bingo and others.

Weygan said gambling operations proliferated in the city amidst the numerous trade fairs, Bingo sa Barangay and other similar fund-raising activities tainting the image of the city as a City of Character, tourist destination, education and business.

            

Weygan also then lamented the increase in the earnings of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) in 2012.

Albeit considered good news, she said it is alarming considering that PAGCOR games albeit legalized are still technically considered as forms of gambling and is still injurious to the society.