Monday, September 15, 2008 Gambling joints still operating By Ace Alegre
STAMPING out gambling joints in Baguio City, including the controversial bingo-socials and several other mini-casino joints, remains to be Baguio's newly installed police director Senior Superintendent Wilfredo Franco's litmus test.
Taking over the police command for almost a week now, Franco vowed all gambling joints in Baguio City must be shut down and other gambling activities will not be tolerated.
But just as Franco took over the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO)'s reins from Senior Superintendent Moises Guevarra, who went on-leave after a reported "dressing down" by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during her Holy Week visit here when religious leaders approached her on rampant gambling, operations never seized a bit.
In fact, a mini-casino is allegedly being operated in the guise of a finance-generation activity by a barangay chairman just a few meters from the City Hall and the Baguio police headquarters.
A higher-stakes poker gaming joint is oftentimes joined in by Baguio's powerful and elite very near the City Hall and police headquarters is reportedly unscathed.
Several other gambling joints reportedly being operated in buildings and private houses also have been enjoying protection.
This aside from the continued operation of several "bingo-teng stations" by at least three alleged incorrigible barangay chairmen, who after the majority of the Association of Barangay Chairmen (ABC) once sanctioned "bingoteng" to fund barangay projects withdrew their support two weeks ago after realizing their operation is not for the barangay's benefit.
But Franco said, "the police will act on bingoteng once its legality is settled," banking on the legality question of its operation after a local court ruled in its favor.
This, aside from the continued operations against jueteng, a mandate the police has anywhere else in the country.
