URDANETA CITY, Pangasinan—The police chief here was sacked after elements of Anti- Illegal Gambling Task Force based in Camp Crame confiscated one illegal video machine locally known as “tiwtiw” here.

Police Superintendent Johnny Bacbac told this writer that he
was “saddened by his relief but as a good soldier I will abide by my superiors' order”.

Bacbac was sacked allegedly due to the one-strike policy of the
police department on illegal gambling.

His relief order effective March 7 temporarily assigns him at the
police provincial office in Lingayen town.

There are other towns or cities in the province where video machines allegedly operate but Bacbac was singled out. (Poor Colonel Johnny, he became the first victim or target or what? Do we expect others to follow? How I wish…but).

Bacbac refused to comment further.

Video machines are known as poor man's casino where bettors, mostly school children, bet their money for school instead of buying food for merienda. They are known by other names like hataw, ameneng, among others.

When the three Crame operatives went to the police station here
sometime on Feb. 21, they coordinated with the local police but refused to allow them to go with them in their target place.

Few hours later, the operatives showed their alleged confiscated
item and then went back to their main headquarters bringing with them the alleged unit.

They did not record anymore the supposed incident in the local police, according to a top local official.

On Feb. 22, the team submitted a recommendation for the ouster of Bacbac.

Bacbac assumed his post here on May 10, 2005 and local officials
have commended him for his god performance especially in anti- illegal drugs operation and in the implementation of special laws.

Under his tenure, Bacbac was able to neutralize 67 drug
personalities.

Bacbac was replaced by Superintendent Paquito Navarette as officer-in-charge.

Navarette is a relative of Chief Superintendent Alfredo de Vera, Ilocos region regional director of the PNP.