Pending an official directive from higher headquarters, the state-run Bingo Millions or Bingo Milyonaryo game operations in Negros Oriental is on status quo, Philippine National Police provincial director Sr. Supt. Edward Carranza said yesterday.
Carranza was reacting to a supposed letter request from Jorge Sarmiento, president and Chief Operating Officer of the Philippine Amusement and Games Corporation, asking the Chief PNP, Police Director General Nicanor Bartolome, to arrest illegal roving agents soliciting bets for the Bingo Milyonaryo.
Carranza said he cannot determine whether the letter, that was circulated among Dumaguete media during the weekend, is authentic or not, but, an order from the Chief PNP, they maintain the status quo”.
In his letter to Chief PNP Bacalzo, dated January 11, 2011, Sarmiento said Bingo Millions or Bingo Milyonaryo, authorized by PAGCOR and administered by Comnet Management Corporation in certain areas in the Philippines, is a “lottery-type game that offers three betting formats”.
Sarmiento said in his letter, that Bingo Millions game is played by those who have previously registerd at the BingoMillions website and BingoMillions agents, and that PAGCOR has not allowed roving bet solicitations.
Carranza said, he will wait for guidance from the Directorate of Operations of the PNP in Camp Crame, Quezon City before the police in Negros Oriental can take action against illegal BingoMillions roving agents.
Carranza also said that during a recent meeting with the mayors of Negros Oriental, some of them questioned the legality of the game. But, because the PNP does not have a basis for arresting those engaged in the game, Carranza said he advised the mayors that they can challenge it in court.*JFP
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