27 December 2005
PNP's Purisima finally roars
‘Hataw’, ‘ameneng’ gambling games must go
By DANNY O. SAGUN
FINALLY, the provincial director of the Philippine National Police broke his silence and allowed media to interview him more than two weeks after Gov. Victor E. Agbayani issued a memorandum directing him to intensify the campaign against crime and illegal gambling activities.
Sr. Supt. Alan Purisima told a live phone interview over Bombo Radyo Dagupan Thursday morning that he had already directed his men in the field to act on the concerns raised by the governor in his memorandum.
He said that before the end of the month, his police chiefs and other fieldmen would have already accomplished their tasks. “Konting follow-up na lang,” he said referring to the campaign against illegal gambling activities using video machines like hataw and ameneng.
He said he would audit all police stations on their accomplishments, warning them to do their job. “Malalagot sila sa akin,” he said in reaction to persistent reports that hataw and ameneng machines are still operating in several towns.
Purisima now appears ready to be reached. He even gave his cell number, 09189265157, and urged the public to report to him directly any illegal activity and criminal incidents.
The provincial police chief apparently realized the importance of being more open and transparent to the public and to the media as well, as advised earlier by Provincial Administrator Virgilio Solis.
On the dropping of his name by some unscrupulous person and a report that a brother of his was tagged as behind the operation of video machines, Purisima said that his brothers are located in Ilocos, Mindanao and the United States, “Wala akong kapatid na nai-involve sa iligal, ” he clarified.
He said he had ordered his men to confiscate all such machines no matter who the owner is. A report said that some machines are color-coded or with stickers purportedly to indicate the owner or operator.
Former Dagupan police chief Supt. Noli Taliño was named overall supervisor of the campaign against illegal vide machines, he said. (DOS)
By DANNY O. SAGUN
FINALLY, the provincial director of the Philippine National Police broke his silence and allowed media to interview him more than two weeks after Gov. Victor E. Agbayani issued a memorandum directing him to intensify the campaign against crime and illegal gambling activities.
Sr. Supt. Alan Purisima told a live phone interview over Bombo Radyo Dagupan Thursday morning that he had already directed his men in the field to act on the concerns raised by the governor in his memorandum.
He said that before the end of the month, his police chiefs and other fieldmen would have already accomplished their tasks. “Konting follow-up na lang,” he said referring to the campaign against illegal gambling activities using video machines like hataw and ameneng.
He said he would audit all police stations on their accomplishments, warning them to do their job. “Malalagot sila sa akin,” he said in reaction to persistent reports that hataw and ameneng machines are still operating in several towns.
Purisima now appears ready to be reached. He even gave his cell number, 09189265157, and urged the public to report to him directly any illegal activity and criminal incidents.
The provincial police chief apparently realized the importance of being more open and transparent to the public and to the media as well, as advised earlier by Provincial Administrator Virgilio Solis.
On the dropping of his name by some unscrupulous person and a report that a brother of his was tagged as behind the operation of video machines, Purisima said that his brothers are located in Ilocos, Mindanao and the United States, “Wala akong kapatid na nai-involve sa iligal, ” he clarified.
He said he had ordered his men to confiscate all such machines no matter who the owner is. A report said that some machines are color-coded or with stickers purportedly to indicate the owner or operator.
Former Dagupan police chief Supt. Noli Taliño was named overall supervisor of the campaign against illegal vide machines, he said. (DOS)
