Jueteng’s back in Vizcaya

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya — This landlocked province is sadly no longer the country’s model of a jueteng-free zone.

This, after the illegal numbers game resurfaced here five days ago after three years of hibernation following a series of Church-backed protest actions against it.

Jueteng here has resurfaced in Solano town with winning bets being drawn twice a day supposedly as part of a "dry run" until it becomes fully operational, covering almost the entire province.

A known chief cabo (bet collector) here, who requested anonymity, disclosed that local jueteng operators, whose major financier reportedly hails from Central Luzon, have again tapped their services.

Sought for his reaction, Gov. Rodolfo Agbayani said he has called the attention of Senior Superintendent Jesus Manubay, provincial police director, to look into the reported resurgence of the illegal numbers game.

"I was told about it. I immediately called Col. Manubay about it and he promised to immediately look into it," he said.

He threatened to cut Manu—bay’s stint if jueteng would again proliferate in the province.

Agbayani, a Lingkod Bayan awardee, said he would not stake the remaining months of his final term as governor with jueteng back in the province.

But policemen appeared to have ignored Agbayani’s order as cabos collect bets even in public places in Solano town.

Manubay, who was installed as provincial police director last December, could not be reached for comment. He used to be the police chief of San Jose City in Nueva Ecija.

Bayombong Bishop Ramon Villena had supported Manu—bay’s appointment after the police official vowed to preserve the image of the diocese as jueteng-free.

Villena could not be reached for comment. He was reportedly out of town.

Agbayani has been reportedly receiving pressure from local politicians to allow the revival of jueteng purportedly to raise funds for next year’s elections, but he has remained defiant.