Lomibao personally called each police official — regional, provincial, district and station commanders — reminding them of the directive against jueteng operations.
"Natataranta ngayon yung matitigas ang ulo operators na gustong magpalusot at mag-operate ng jueteng (The order has put the illegal gambling operators in a tight situation in their effort to sneak in their jueteng operations again)," PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Leopoldo Bataoil said.
Bataoil said the order directed all police commanders to be on the lookout for "guerrilla-type" jueteng operations, reminding them of the "one-strike" policy against erring police chiefs who face immediate dismissal if illegal gambling operations are allowed to persist in their areas of jurisdiction.
Lomibao issued the order after lawmen recently arrested 46 people suspected of engaging in jueteng operations in General Trias, Cavite.
Lomibao immediately relieved Chief Inspector Conrad Gongon, the chief of police of Gen. Trias.
In 2005, Lomibao sacked two provincial police directors, 12 city and town police chiefs under the "one strike" policy.
The policy has been effective in forcing police chiefs to sustain the crackdown against the illegal numbers game on the threat of getting axed and having a stain on their record.
The PNP was pressured to implement the crackdown on illegal gambling in the wake of an exposé aired by Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz who revealed the extent of jueteng operations in the country.
Cruz presented several witnesses before a Senate inquiry last year detailing the illegal gambling operations and implicating several high officials in payoffs.
President Arroyo even tapped Puerto Princesa City Mayor Eduard Hagedorn to help the PNP in its campaign against jueteng and to recommend measures to sustain the crackdown.
"The PNP’s operation against jueteng is a continuing effort. We have learned that there was indeed an effort to operate jueteng, but your PNP will further intensify the campaign against jueteng," Bataoil said.
In an effort to dissuade people from betting or collecting bets, Bataoil said the PNP will exert every effort to inform the people of its social impact.
Bataoil said the PNP leadership is counting on the sincerity and effectiveness of police field commanders in carrying anti-illegal gambling operations in their respective areas.
He said the PNP is also encouraging bet collectors to identify their financiers and protectors.
"If we will be able to get evidence from collectors and pinpoint protectors and operations, then we will be able to elevate our case against operators, and even coddlers," Bataoil said.
Without cooperation from the public, Bataoil said, the campaign will be useless.
Bataoil also admitted the possibility that some police officials who were relieved under the "one strike" policy might be reappointed in some places due to lack of police personnel.
But he assured that disciplinary actions had been imposed on them before their reassignment.
Lomibao stressed the problem of jueteng is not just a concern of law enforcers but of all sectors of society. He called on the public to help the PNP succeed in its campaign.