Iloilo City 'jueteng free?'

By Maricar M. Calubiran

If Iloilo City Police Office Director, Sr. Supt. Norlito Bautista is to be believed, Iloilo City is already 'jueteng-free.'

Bautista made his declaration based on the reports from his field commanders. The reports were then confirmed by the Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) in the city. He said only first two and video karera exist and no other illegal number games in the city.

Unlike in other areas, each parish is also asked to confirm the reports of the Philippine National Police. Each field commander is required to ask for a certification from the church concerned to validate their report but not in Iloilo City.

The city director said the ABC has already given their commitment to help the PNP in their drive against the illegal number games. He expects to put an end to all the existing number games.

Earlier, the PNP hierarchy has issued a stern warning against all filed commanders to stop all illegal gambling operations in their area of responsibility or else they will be relieved from their positions. None of the field commanders confirmed the presence of daily double operations in their area; all declared their area of operation as “jueteng free.”

In Iloilo City, the police has yet to arrest a big time daily double operators and they have to contend to bet collectors. Though, they have list of reported daily double operators, the PNP refused to release their names. They don't have enough proof and they find it hard to nail them.

The drive against illegal gambling operation is an offshoot of the reports on the involvement of the First Family particularly First Gentleman Mike Arroyo and son Rep. Mikey Arroyo. They allegedly received jueteng money from the illegal number games operation. The senate inquiry on the jueteng issue is still on going.