Mayors belie jueteng resurgence in Isabela

ILAGAN, Isabela — Local executives from at least three towns here belied the resurgence of jueteng in their area, declaring that their municipalities have been jueteng-free since it went into full-stop almost two months ago in the province.

Cordon town Mayor Amado Vallejo yesterday said that as far as his municipality is concerned there has been no jueteng operations as well as bet collections taking place within their area, disputing reports of the illegal number game’s sudden resurgence in the province, including his turf.

"We don’t have any jueteng in our town. We also don’t want its entry here. But I can only speak for my town," he said.

Likewise, Mayor Fernando Cumigad said that in the two years he had been mayor of Gamu town, there has been no jueteng in his area "Even when a big sum was dangled before me. I have done this for the past years, because of my sincere opposition to jueteng."

Officials of Echague town also cleared their town of any jueteng-related activity despite its reported resurgence in other areas of the province.

The denials came after Ilagan Bishop Sergio Utleg lashed out some politicos, including a number of mayors in connection with the revival of jueteng in the province after it went to a full-stop for a month following the relief of provincial and municipal police chiefs in the region for their failure to curb the illegal numbers game in their respective turfs.

Also, Gov. Grace Padaca had been enraged by numerous complaints over reports of the return of the illegal lottery here. Based on reports, she said that jueteng has crept back into almost all parts of the province, including the cities of Santiago and Cauayan.

Padaca said that her stand over jueteng is firm and will never wane with the color of money.

"As far as Isabela is concerned, your governor does not like jueteng, but Isabela is made of towns under different mayors and police chiefs that have direct control in your areas," said Padaca in her radio program last week.

Meanwhile, Utleg, who is set for transfer to the Diocese of Laoag in Ilocos Norte, after almost a decade of stay in this country’s third biggest province, said that some politicos, including a number of mayors are behind the return of jueteng in his diocese, claiming that this was done in connection with their preparation for next year’s election.

Utleg said many of the local politicians, especially mayors are in dire need of financial resources for their campaigns, "which is why they are tacitly supporting" the resurgent operations of the illegal lottery.

"Many of the mayors and some politicians are supporting it because they need the money in their campaigns, but not the governor (Padaca), of course, no, the governor is not one of them," said Utleg.

Utleg, however, did not name the politicos or any mayor said to be in cahoots with jueteng operators or tolerating its operation for the benefit of financial support of their imminent campaigns. 

For his part, Gov. Ramon Reyes said that at least three political families have been ruling the province as far as jueteng is concerned, but requested The STAR not to mention their names. He, however, said that these personalities are known in Isabela as behind the operations of jueteng.