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Abalos vows strict action vs illegal online lottery operators

Philippines | National

Abalos vows strict action vs illegal online lottery operators

By Chito Chavez

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin ‘Benhur’ Abalos Jr. has committed support in running after cyber criminals, who are raking billions of pesos in illegal online lottery operations.

Abalos said the DILG will provide the necessary support to the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office’s (PCSO) as he asserted that the illegal online lottery operators had been the stumbling block of the agency in providing the much needed public aid to the poor.

He pointed out that the PCSO cannot fulfill its mandate when ‘evil people’ steal ‘the agency’s revenue using their technological know-how.’

Abalos issued the statement at the heels of the complaint filed by PCSO General Manager Mel Robles against individuals behind the four firms engaged in the unauthorized online lottery operations in the country.

“I will instruct the Philippine National Police (PNP), especially our Anti- Cybercrime Group to vigorously pursue and assist the PCSO in identifying groups or individuals who might be engaged in similar illegal online lottery games,” Abalos said.

Earlier, Robles revealed that the PCSO is losing billions of pesos in revenues because of the illegal operations perpetrated by the suspects.

“You can just imagine the damage these suspects are doing to the causes and advocacies of PCSO which is mandated to provide all forms of assistance to the people especially the poor,” Abalos pointed out.

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