MANILA - The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) on Saturday said it would ask President Rodrigo Duterte to reconsider his order suspending its games, just as police started shutting down lotto and other gaming outlets in parts of the country.

In a video statement, PCSO officials said the agency would readily comply with the President's order but that it would seek the resumption of its gaming operations, citing its mandate and beneficiaries.

"Pursuant to the order of the President suspending PCSO’s gaming activities, the PCSO board directs compliance to said instruction until further notice," the PCSO said.

PCSO operations include the lotto, Peryahan ng Bayan, small town lottery (STL), and Keno. Part of its proceeds go to medical assistance and calamity aid.

"Rest assured that the PCSO shall appeal to the Office of the President for the resumption of the conduct of all games to PCSO’s mandate and for the interest of the PCSO, its agents and its beneficiaries."

It advised those who had advance play tickets to keep them amid the indefinite suspension order.

"To our valued customers, please be advised that our PCSO games are suspended pursuant to the directive of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. All players with advance play tickets are advised to keep their tickets until further notice," it said.

On Friday night, Duterte announced he was suspending all PCSO gaming schemes, citing "massive corruption." He gave authorities 24 hours starting Saturday to enforce the order across the country.

Philippine National Police chief Police General Oscar Albayalde led closure operations on Saturday.

• Duterte declares lotto, other PCSO games illegal