Pangasinan cops told: Redouble efforts vs jueteng

ALCALA, Pangasinan — Amid reports that jueteng has resurfaced in some areas in the province, Gov. Victor Agbayani has ordered the police to "redouble their efforts" against the illegal numbers game.

Agbayani said he remains supportive of the anti-gambling campaign of Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz.

"We have said that we will do our share to preserve the gains of his crusade," he said.

Agbayani said he hopes that Pangasinan would remain jueteng-free although he has received reports of attempts to revive the illegal numbers game in certain areas.

Police have apprehended several jueteng cobradores at the provincial boundary. Those arrested confessed that they were to bring the bets to other provinces where the draws were held.

Although he has not talked yet to Senior Superintendent Alan Purisima, provincial police director, about the jueteng reports, Agbayani said, "There is a standing order for him to do that."

He said he would ask Purisima to identify the areas where jueteng is reportedly being revived.

Agbayani cited the need though for a "consistent policy on gambling on a national scale because there are forms of gambling that are illegal and there are (others) that are legal."

"So our people are sometimes confused. They wonder why. So we, as a nation, should tackle this issue and make a consistent stand," he said.

Agbayani said he is hoping that Pangasinan would also be free of small town lottery (STL). "I have already indicated my stand that we should discourage it," he said, adding though that all provincial officials should take a collective stand.

During the first attempt to introduce STL in Pangasinan, he said he asked the provincial board not to approve its entry, and the board acceded.