Show jueteng evidence, PNP critics dared

The Philippine National Police has dared critics of its campaign against jueteng (illegal numbers game) to come out with evidence to help authorities arrest and prosecute suspects.

"We expect accuser to come up with evidence," PNP spokesman chief Superintendent Samuel Pagdilao said. "As a matter of policy the PNP continues to ensure that anti-jueteng drive will be carried out by all subordinate units. Those reports from different sources are welcome information that can help the PNP."

Pagdilao said the PNP would closely coordinate with sources of information including Dagupan, Lingayen Archbishop Oscar Cruz.

Cruz, in a radio interview, said there is a resurgence of jueteng in the country with some lawmakers, police and local executives benefiting from the collections. He said jueteng is considered a P35-billion industry annually, an amount that is much higher than the income of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. Pagcor reportedly earns P5 million quarterly.

The absence of a clear-cut approach to stamping out jueteng also appears to weigh down the drive against the illegal numbers game.

The PNP spokesman said the Anti-Illegal Gambling Special Operations Task Force is under the PNP-Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM) now headed by chief Superintendent Gerry Barrias.

However, when reporters checked with Barrias, the latter claimed the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) is supposedly the unit tasked to go after jueteng operators. – Cecille Suerte Felipe