Jai-alai firm denies link to jueteng operations

MANILA, Philippines -  Meridien Vista Gaming Corp., a jai-alai firm purportedly owned by Charlie “Atong” Ang, yesterday vowed to cooperate with government’s investigation on reports linking it to the resurgence of jueteng operations in the metropolis and at least four provinces.

Raul Banderas, the gaming firm’s spokesman, has vowed to disprove in the probe Departments of Justice and Interior and Local Government allegations that their company has been a front for jueteng operations in the provinces of Cagayan, Pangasinan, Isabela, Oriental Mindoro and some areas in Metro Manila.

“If it is the only way to stop this issue, we are open to any investigation to clear our company once and for all,” Banderas said in a statement sent to The STAR.

He said their firm believes the allegation was part of a smear campaign of jueteng operators to discredit their legal operations.

Banderas said Meridien suffered the same fate in 2009 with the regional trial court of Aparri where the court has rendered a decision in its favor, dated Oct. 30, 2009.

 “It is clear that the operations of Meridien bear the imprimatur of the state. It is, however, quite unfortunate that this legality is being tainted by propaganda of gambling lords who are mostly affected by jai-alai,” he said.

He said that a group from Pangasinan is trying to discredit the operation of jai-alai in the province by confusing the public that they operate similar to jueteng. The group led by a certain Bebot from Sto. Tomas was reportedly behind the demolition job against Meridien.

“The issue was not properly tackled. The group behind the demolition job was the same group who operates jueteng in the province of Pangasinan. They resorted to these dirty tactics to intimidate local officials who are trying to seek legal options,” he claimed.

The MVGC issued the statement in reaction to a statement made by Justice Secretary Leila de Lima that the government has received report that jueteng operations in those areas have been revived using jai-alai as front.

She said that MVGC was given franchise to operate jai-alai games by the Games and Amusement Board (GAB) after securing an injunction from a Tuguegarao regional trial court.

She said MVGC’s permit only covers operations in Cagayan province, but it has supposedly extended its operations in Pangasinan, Isabela, Oriental Mindoro and some areas in Metro Manila.

Illegal bookie operations

In related developments, Manila Police District director Chief Superintendent Roberto Rongavilla has ordered an intensified drive against all forms of illegal gambling, following reports that illegal bookie operations has been rampant in the city.

This developed as operatives of the District Police Intelligence Operations Unit, led by Chief Inspector Fernando Opelanio, have arrested some 14 personnel of illegal bookie joints in Bambang, Dagupan, Paco and San Andres Bukid.

Recovered from the personnel were Dividendazo programs, lists of bets, ball pens, calculators and bet money in various denominations. Intelligence chief Superintendent Ernesto Fojas Jr. said he received text messages that a certain “Lina Lobrino” finances the bookie joints in some parts of Tondo, especially in Moriones.

STAR sources, however, said that “loteng,” a numbers game derived from the winning lotto combinations, is being operated without letup by gambling lords mostly in depressed areas of the city. “These form of illegal gambling earns more from its operators since players can place their bets for as low as P5,” the sources said.

The same sources also revealed that jueteng is now being operated in Manila and is financed by a certain “DD.”