BUTUAN CITY – A Roman Catholic bishop and other religious leaders in Northeastern Mindanao have asked the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) to stop the operation of the state-sanctioned small town lottery or STL in Cabadbaran City and this region’s capital city, it was learned Thursday.

Former president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos of the Archdiocese of Butuan City said the operation of the STL in these cities did not pass through “people’s consultation” or assembly.

The prelate and other religious organizations asked the PCSO to stop their STL operations in these cities.

The PCSO attempted to operate the STL and other number games in early 1980s in Agusan provinces but this did not push through due to strong opposition from the religious sector.

The PCSO has started the pilot-testing of STL operations in Butuan City and Cabadbaran City last month.

The religious leaders in Northeastern Mindanao oppose the operation of STL and other number games such as “last two,” “masiao,” “last three,” “swertres” and jueteng games for several reasons.

“Besides it was done without proper consultations with the populace and stakeholders,” Pueblos said.

“The STL management should hear first the sentiments of the people,” Pueblos said, adding, “I hope there is a moratorium on the operations.”