Tanauan City Fights Illegal Gambling with “Oplan Bulldozer”

Tanauan City—Tanauan City Police have launched ”Oplan Bulldozer,“ a targeted drive to remove the illicit numbers game known locally as ”bookies. The program is part of a larger attempt to help the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) run the legal Small Town Lottery (STL).

Bookies, an illegal form of STL, pose a huge threat to the PCSO's efforts to gather money for public welfare projects. To address this, Lt.Col. Virgilio Jopia, the acting chief of police, launched the campaign on Saturday at the first “Kapihan sa TCCPS” forum.

The initiative is the result of a decision from Mayor Sonny Collantes, who ordered the police to eliminate bookies shortly after Jopia took office in July. Under “Oplan Bulldozer,” police officials compiled a list of known illegal operators and individually visited them to encourage compliance. Operators were given two options: stop unlawful operations or partner with Refresh Gaming Corp. (RGC), the city's approved STL operator.

Barangay officials have also been asked to actively tackle illegal gaming in their respective districts. This grassroots engagement has been critical in attaining significant achievements. LtCol. Jopia reported, There has been a dramatic drop in bookie operations. Some operators have quit completely, while others have switched to working with RGC.

The program has gained traction with the full backing of the Batangas Police Provincial Office, led by Col. Jacinto Malinao Jr. They work together to maintain law and order in Tanauan City by eliminating illegal gambling and supporting genuine STL activities as a long-term source of community development.

About Small Town Lottery (STL)

The PCSO manages the Small Town Lottery, which is a legal numbers game used to raise revenue for health programs, medical aid, and other public welfare activities. It adheres to tight laws to promote openness and accountability, offering communities an alternative to unlawful gambling while also funding national development programs.

Final Thoughts

Tanauan City's attempts to eradicate illegal gambling through “Oplan Bulldozer” demonstrate the importance of coordination among law enforcement, municipal governments, and the population. By assisting genuine STL operations, such as those allowed by the PCSO, the city not only enforces the law but also promotes prospects for public benefit funds. The campaign serves as a model for other towns facing similar obstacles in achieving sustainable development and community empowerment goals.