Authorities in Central Visayas have conducted a sweeping crackdown on illegal gambling activities, resulting in the arrest of close to four thousand individuals in less than a year.
Massive Police Operation Yields Results
From January 1, 2025, to November 27, 2025, the Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 launched a determined campaign against unlawful betting operations across the region. The initiative, which forms part of the government's broader fight against illegal gambling, led to the apprehension of nearly 4,000 suspected gamblers.
Targeting Numbers Games and Card Games
The police focused their efforts on various forms of illicit betting. A significant portion of the operations targeted the illegal numbers game, including illegal swertres. To combat these activities, law enforcement carried out an impressive 1,807 separate operations.
Beyond numbers games, the crackdown also addressed illegal card games and other forms of unauthorized gambling. The relentless campaign proved financially impactful as well, with police confiscating a total of P578,621 in gambling money during the raids.
A Call for Continued Community Vigilance
Following the successful operations, PRO-7 officials are calling on the public to maintain their support. They are encouraging community members to be vigilant and to report any illegal gambling activities in their localities to the authorities.
The police have assured the public that all reports will be handled with confidentiality and that witnesses or informants will be provided with necessary protection. This partnership between law enforcement and citizens is seen as crucial to sustaining the gains of the anti-gambling drive and eradicating these illegal operations for good.
