JUETENG FRENZY
PRO 6 intensifies anti-gambling drive

By Florence F. Hibionada

In the wake of the jueteng controversy hounding the Arroyo administration, Western Visayas police regional director, Chief Superintendent Doroteo Reyes II has ordered Provincial and City police directors in Western Visayas to submit their reports on the status of their anti-gambling campaign.

Reyes issued the order during Friday last week's closed-door conference with top police officials in the region.

Results and areas identified as 'jueteng havens', however, have yet to be released.

Western Visayas is not among those the Philippine National Police declared as 'jueteng-free.'

There are reports that strict orders have been issued for immediate police action aimed at eliminating and eradicating illegal numbers game in the region. It was not immediately confirmed if a deadline has been set though sources told The News Today that local authorities are under pressure to come up with 'considerable' accomplishments.

The government's anti-jueteng drive came in the heels of accusations linking top officials and key figures in the Arroyo administration to the continued operations of jueteng in the country.

The Department of Justice has joined the anti-jueteng frenzy with Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales ordering all State Prosecutors in the country to submit a status report on pending and resolved cases involving the prosecution of those arrested for illegal gambling.

For the record though, there is no known prosecution of any major figure in Western Visayas identified as “gambling lord.”

Of late, illegal gambling campaign was hyped-up in a number of Iloilo towns with operations described as “very minimal.”

Iloilo Provincial Police Office deputy director for operations, Supt. Cornelio Defensor earlier revealed that they have received reports of betting for lotteng in the towns of Oton, Tigbauan, Guimbal, parts of Pavia, Dumangas, Barotac Nuevo, Sara, Batad and Estancia.

Lotteng is based on the first two winning numbers in the State-run lotto draw everyday.

Other similar illegal number game operations are said to be drawn here in the city though Supt. Defensor refused to make a confirmation on that report. (With a report from Bert Ladera of Bombo Radyo)