THE city government’s campaign against all forms of illegal gambling continues without letup.

Thus declared Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim as he destroyed a total of 102 video karera machines at the Bonifacio Shrine beside city hall yesterday. He also warned that anyone who will be caught giving protection or facilitating the operation of such illegal gambling devices will be dealt with accordingly, especially if they belong to city hall or the police.

Lim drove a mallet onto the TV units and the mother boards which enable the video karera machines to operate and are reportedly the most expensive component of the said units.  

The said machines were seized during joint and coordinated operations conducted by members of the Manila Police District under the supervision of its director, Gen. Roberto Rongavilla, and deputy, now acting MPD director Col. Alex Gutierrez and the Manila social welfare department  headed by Jay dela Fuente.           

The mayor lauded the police and the DSW for the successful operation, citing the need to address the fact that a lot of youngsters are addicted to playing the video karera since they are easily accessible.                   

After Lim, city officials headed by chief of staff and media bureau chief Ric de Guzman, city administrator Jay Marzan, Dela Fuente, Gutierrez, barangay chairmen and youngsters also took turns in destroying the machines. 

Lim said video karera, which is a form of gambling, distracts the youth from their studies and lure them into skipping school and spending their school allowance, hard-earned by their parents, on such illegal gambling activities. 

Now that it is school break, the mayor noted that kids have more spare time and all the more have the tendency to engage in video karera games instead of getting involved in better activities such as sports, which is why the anti-gambling campaign should be heightened.

Particularly, the mayor expressed concern over reports that some youngsters even take drugs to keep them awake all night so they can engage in illegal gambling.

After destroying the units and their mother boards, Lim reiterated his call for  barangay officials and the residents to help pinpoint the existence of these illegal machines within their respective areas.  With Milinette Saray Uy & Adrian Stewart Co