Crackdown on jueteng launched

Newly appointed Interior Secretary Joey Lina ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) yesterday to build a strong case against all known jueteng lords in the country for their eventual prosecution.

In launching what he labeled as an all-out war against the illegal numbers game, Lina said the PNP will not spare anyone, especially those policemen caught giving protection to jueteng operators.

"Of course, there will be an all- out war, a no-nonsense campaign against all forms of illegal activities, including jueteng and drugs. No one will be spared – from protectors, maintainers down to their personnel," Lina told reporters in his first day as secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Lina, however, said the PNP should come up with enough evidence to ensure that jueteng lords are put to jail.

"We have to prepare necessary evidence so we can charge them and put them behind bars," he said, referring to the likes of Rodolfo "Bong" Pineda, Charing Magbuhos and the Viceo brothers who operate in Pampanga, Laguna and Bulacan, respectively.

Lina has yet to resign as governor of Laguna. He was appointed by President Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo as DILG chief the other day and he buckled down to work yesterday.

He gave assurance that concerns of local governments and the country in general will be addressed by his department.

Lina noted that peace and order is his number one concern and he will ensure that this is properly addressed by the 114,000-strong PNP in curbing all forms of criminality.

"The concerns of local governance will also be advanced because the local governments will be the key to our national developments and survival," he said. "If the local government is properly mobilized and organized, it can spell the difference."

Lina added that there will be no vindictiveness in his administration. "We will start the healing process," he said. — Cecille Suerte Felipe