Lina bares gains vs jueteng

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jose Lina Jr. announced yesterday validated and verified gains and accomplishments of the department and the Philippine National Police (PNP) against illegal gambling, particularly jueteng.

He cited the filing of 56 criminal cases in 2002 and the first quarter of this year against known gambling lords and jueteng financiers.

"As early as February 2001, I have endorsed to the Department of Justice, the filing of appropriate charges against Rodolfo ‘Bong’ Pineda based on the testimony of former Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis Singson before the Senate linking him to illegal gambling," he said in a statement.

Lina said in 2002, the average raid per day conducted stood at 22.5 while in the first quarter of 2003, the average was 1.2.

In Metro Manila, he said, jueteng has ceased in 33 barangays – 12 in Quezon City, five in Caloocan, four in Valenzuela, four in Parañaque and two each in Marikina, San Juan, Las Piñas and Navotas.

Sustained operations with the help of the Church and other groups resulted in making the provinces of Marinduque, Catanduanes, Palawan, Occidental Mindoro, Aurora and Romblon "jueteng free."

"Furthermore, 90 percent of Ifugao is jueteng free... as is 67 percent of Ilocos Sur. As of April 7, 475 towns and cities in regions 1-5 are now jueteng-free as reported by priests and validated by pastors in the areas," he said. – Perseus Echeminada