Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia yesterday ordered City Police Director Senior Supt. Ricardo de la Paz to investigate allegations that there are police officials who are receiving payola from illegal gambling operations.

Police Officer 3 Richard Delasa, a former member of the Regional Special Operations Group of Police Regional Office-6 before he went absent without leave in October this year, made the “exposé” at the Fernandina Media Forum at the Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan City, Wednesday.

Delasa recently filed a complaint against his colleagues before the Department of Interior and Local Government, with the help of Archbishop Emeritus Oscar Cruz.

Leonardia said he was out of the country when this issue came out, but will ask De la Paz to brief him on the matter.

He stressed that those who are guilty as charged should be meted appropriate penalties.

Leonardia said, however, that the accusation should be coupled with evidence, otherwise it will remain hearsay because there were people close to him before who were also accused of receiving illegal gambling payola, but no proofs were shown against them.

On Friday last week, Police Regional Office 6 Director Chief Supt. Agrimero Cruz ordered a thorough investigation on the controversy, but urged Delasa to show proof of his allegations.

De la Paz and Negros Occidental Provincial Police Officer-in-charge Senior Supt. Milko Lirazan said they will cooperate in the investigation to be conducted on this matter.*APN

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