The Philippine National Police has relieved PCOL Timmar J. Alam as provincial director of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOrPPO), along with six chiefs of police, after simultaneous anti-illegal gambling operations across Negros Oriental resulted in six arrests on Thursday, August 28.
PCOL Lito Patay, deputy regional director for operations of the Police Regional Office Negros Island Region (PRO NIR), was designated officer-in-charge of NOrPPO in addition to his existing duties.
The relief orders were issued under the PNP's One-Strike Policy on illegal gambling, which holds police commanders accountable when outside units conduct successful operations inside their areas of responsibility.
Six Arrested Across Four Towns and Two Cities
The operations were conducted by the PRO NIR Regional Special Operations Group (RSOG) between 10:14 a.m. and 1:34 p.m. on August 28 in the municipalities of Ayungon, Tayasan, Sibulan, and Pamplona, and the cities of Bayawan and Guihulngan — all in Negros Oriental.
Six individuals were arrested for allegedly soliciting and collecting bets for illegal numbers games in violation of Republic Act No. 9287, the Act Increasing the Penalties for Illegal Numbers Games.
Operatives recovered betting slips, improvised betting receipts, claim stubs, notebooks containing number combinations, ballpens, marked bet money, and cash believed to be proceeds from illegal gambling.
Alam Relieved, Patay Named Officer-in-Charge
Following the operations, PRO NIR ordered the relief of six chiefs of police at the stations where the arrests occurred, as well as the relief of Alam as provincial director and the designation of Patay as officer-in-charge of NOrPPO.
The action followed a directive from PNP chief PGEN Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., who ordered the PRO NIR regional director to intensify the campaign against illegal gambling and to institute decisive administrative action against commanders who failed to stop its proliferation in Negros Oriental, according to PRO NIR.
Cardiño: Commanders Must Be Fully Accountable
PBGEN Romano V. Cardiño, PRO NIR regional director, said the One-Strike Policy reflects the PNP leadership's uncompromising stance against all forms of unlawful activity.
"Command responsibility is fundamental in the performance of every police officer. The presence and continued operation of illegal gambling activities within an area of responsibility cannot be tolerated. Our commanders are expected to ensure that illegal activities are prevented, detected, and decisively addressed," Cardiño said.
Cardiño added that the relief of the commanders should serve as a stern warning to all police units and personnel.
"This is not merely about conducting arrests. It is about ensuring that our commanders remain vigilant, proactive, and fully accountable for what happens within their respective areas of responsibility. The One-Strike Policy will be implemented fairly, firmly, and without exception," he said.
Sibulan Chief Relieved Under Same Policy in June
The August 28 mass relief is the latest application of the One-Strike Policy in Negros Oriental. In June, PRO NIR had already relieved PMaj. Fortunato Sabio Villafuerte as chief of the Sibulan Municipal Police Station under the same policy, in an order issued by Cardiño on June 18.
That earlier action followed an RSOG anti-illegal gambling operation on June 17 in Purok Mauswagon, Barangay Looc, Sibulan, which resulted in the arrest of a woman for alleged violation of RA 9287. Betting paraphernalia, betting records, and cash believed to be gambling proceeds were recovered in that operation.
Policy Applied Nationwide
The One-Strike Policy applies when National Operational Support Units or the RSOG successfully conduct operations against illegal gambling, e-sabong or online gambling, and smuggled cigarettes within a commander's area of responsibility.
The approach has been applied in other regions as well. In April, the PNP relieved 11 officers under Police Regional Office 1, including the director of the Pangasinan Police Provincial Office and several chiefs of police, following a review of their anti-illegal gambling performance. PNP chief Nartatez has directed regional directors nationwide to conduct operational and administrative reviews of provincial directors and chiefs of police to ensure performance standards are met.
Operations to Continue Region-Wide
PRO NIR assured the public that the campaign against illegal gambling will continue, directing police commanders throughout the region to intensify intelligence gathering, sustain anti-illegal gambling operations, and strictly enforce applicable laws.
The PNP said it remains committed to maintaining discipline, accountability, and operational effectiveness within its ranks while ensuring communities are protected from all forms of criminality and illegal activities.
By the Numbers
- 6 individuals arrested in simultaneous operations on August 28
- 6 chiefs of police relieved, plus 1 provincial director (NOrPPO)
- 4 municipalities and 2 cities covered by the RSOG operations
- ₱550 in marked bet money recovered
- ₱620 in cash believed to be gambling proceeds recovered (total: ₱1,170)
- 11 officers previously relieved under the same policy in PRO 1 in April
Why This Matters
The simultaneous relief of a provincial police director and six station chiefs in a single province represents one of the most sweeping applications of the PNP's One-Strike Policy in Negros Oriental, signaling that PNP national leadership under PGEN Nartatez is actively enforcing command accountability beyond just filing cases against suspects. The policy places direct personal responsibility on police commanders for illegal activities that persist or go undetected in their jurisdictions, reshaping how leadership performance is measured across the organization. For residents of Negros Oriental, the shake-up marks a significant institutional response to the continued proliferation of illegal numbers games in the province.
Photo credit: Photo courtesy of PRO NIR