Stop jueteng operations in Manila, cop station heads told

MANILA, Philippines – Manila Police District director Chief Superintendent Roberto Rongavilla yesterday issued an ultimatum to his 11 police station commanders to stop jueteng operations in their areas of jurisdiction.

“There will be no ifs or buts. Strike one policy (against jueteng) will be strictly implemented, meaning those station commanders liable for the operation of jueteng will immediately be relieved (from their posts),” Rongavilla said in his command conference yesterday at the Rizal Hall of the MPD headquarters.

Rongavilla issued the warning after Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim reportedly blew his top amid reports that the illegal numbers game has made a comeback in the city.

Lim, a known anti-jueteng advocate, received reports that Manila policemen recently arrested several persons in Sampaloc, Paco and Tondo while claiming their winnings from jueteng.

Intelligence chief Superintendent Ernesto Fojas Jr. told The STAR that those arrested were verified to be operating jueteng guerilla-style, wherein they move from one place to another to avoid detection.

Rongavilla directed his men to be on alert against jueteng operations and encouraged them to tap their intelligence sources for the neutralization of the illegal numbers game in the city.

A jueteng whistle-blower meanwhile lamented that former jueteng operators could not engage in other forms of legal gaming work since they are already “marked” by policemen.

“Katrina,” in a press conference the other day, revealed that former jueteng personnel were nabbed by policemen even though they are now working for Meriden Vista Gaming Corp., a legitimate gaming company.

“How can we make an honest living when policemen continue to harass us? Is there no place for us after we were formerly tagged as jueteng personnel?” Katrina said.