CITY Mayor Bejamin S. Lim gave Police Chief P/Supt. Edgar Basbas 72 hours or three days ending last Friday to eradicate ‘hataw’ ‘ameneng’ operations in Dagupan City.

In a memorandum dated last Monday, January 16, Lim directed Basbas to confiscate in three days and account for all hataw and similar machines within the city.

“This form of illegal gambling has lured our young children and kept them away from school,” Lim said even as he noted that the operation of these betting and gambling machines has become a social menace.

The mayor stressed the need to have “a more determined and effective effort” for the total and permanent eradication of the illegal video games.

Lim came up with the directive after reports reached his office that ‘hataw’ and ‘ameneng’ games continue to operate in various parts of Dagupan despite a supposed continuing police campaign against the illegal games.

He asked Basbas to report on the operations of the police station against the machines by last Friday.

Late reports reaching the Star said some 30 machines were confiscated all over the city. Basbas admitted there could be many more being hidden by owners in their houses or shops.

He sought issuance of search warrants to go after these units inside residences. (Venus May H. Sarmiento / Sunshine Robles)