Stop ‘jueteng’ in 15 days – PNP Chief
Police regional directors across the country were given 15 days to stop the illegal numbers game –particularly ‘jueteng’ – in Metro Manila and Luzon amid criticisms of the ‘anemic performance’ of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in running after gambling financiers.
PNP Chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa warned that if regional directors fail to comply with his order, he would not hesitate to relieve them from their posts and replace them with competent ones.
“I am directing all regional directors to go all out against illegal gambling. I am giving them 15 days to stop illegal gambling. I think it’s enough (time),” said Dela Rosa.
To be fair, Dela Rosa said he also gave authority to the regional directors to relieve non-performing provincial directors, who have also been authorized to sack chiefs of police who would not do well in the campaign against illegal gambling.
Last week, the PNP leadership was criticized for not doing well in the campaign against the illegal numbers game, particularly those using the Small Town Lottery as a front for “jueteng” operations. The criticism had come from Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Alexander Balutan who declared that they would push for the reduction of at least 50 percent in the PNP share on the revenues of the PCSO from STL operation.
In reaction to that, Dela Rosa said the PCSO could cancel all of the PNP’s share so that they would not be used as scapegoat and be blamed for the proliferation of illegal gambling.
“We can operate without them supporting us. But don’t use us as scapegoat, we will do our job,” said Dela Rosa.
As proof that they are serious in the campaign, Dela Rosa said he set the 15-day deadline as a solution as it will pressure the regional directors to end “jueteng” and other forms of illegal gambling.
“I promise that we will do our job, we will be eliminating illegal gambling. Fifteen days is enough. If not, we will start relieving commanders,” said Dela Rosa.
The Chief PNP, however, appealed to legitimate STL operators to police their own ranks and make sure that illegal gambling is not tolerated.
Citing his experience, he disclosed that it was the legitimate bookie operators who would save the illegal gambling collectors who are arrested by the local police. (Aaron B. Recuenco)