MANILA, Philippines — Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim led in the destruction Tuesday of a total of 70 video karera units and several color game boards which he said had been distracting youngsters from their studies.

In doing so, Lim also called on the police and the barangays to intensify the campaign against illegal gambling and tap the help of the residents in getting information regarding the existence of such activities.

Lim also urged barangay chairmen to do their part in helping the city government get rid of illegal vices by coordinating with and tipping off the City Hall and the police authorities regarding the existence of illegal gambling in their respective areas of jurisdiction.

The illegal gambling units and paraphernalia destroyed yesterday by Lim were confiscated jointly by personnel from the Department of Social Welfare headed by Jay dela Fuente, policemen from the
Manila Police District Stations 1, 3, 7 and 8 and barangay officials.

Dela Fuente said the existence of such illegal gambling activities was reported to his office by the barangay chairmen who expressed concern about youngsters getting addicted to video karera and color games.

In turn, Dela Fuente coordinated with the police and separate operations were conducted in a span of two months resulting in the confiscation of the units and boards in Pandacan, Sta.Mesa, Blumentritt, Tondo and Sta. Cruz.

Lim said the city government’s campaign against illegal gambling and all forms of vices is a continuing one, even as he lauded the barangay chairmen who reported the existence of illegal gambling operations in their area.

“We truly need the cooperation of everyone to put a total stop to all kinds of vices, especially those that lure minors,” the mayor said.

He also noted that in the case of video karera and color games, some students are driven to skip school and spend their school allowance once they get addicted to playing such games.