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Monday, May 23, 2005
Cop chief imposes '1-strike' policy on jueteng
MANILA -- Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Arturo Lomibao has replaced the three-strike policy in the police's anti-jueteng campaign with one-strike rule for police heads failing to stamp out jueteng in their area.
Lomibao said that under a new policy, police commanders would be relieved from post once a jueteng bettor, collector or operator is arrested in their area of jurisdiction. He said the one-strike rule would help eradicate jueteng.
Under the old "three-strike policy", a police commander will be relieved once jueteng is found in his area in three successive raids.
The PNP chief clarified that the "one-strike rule" will apply to all police chiefs of towns and component cities and not just to city and municipal chiefs of police.
A joint congressional inquiry will be conducted by the Senate and the House of Representatives on alleged rampant jueteng operations in the country and payola allegedly received by government and police officials and legislators.
Witnesses
Four witnesses, who claim to be jueteng bagmen and operators, are willing to testify in the investigation.
Among those accused of receiving jueteng pay-offs are President Arroyo's husband, First Gentleman Mike Arroyo, and son Pampanga Representative Mikey Arroyo.
Arroyo ordered the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Office of the Ombudsman to conduct an investigation on the allegations linking her husband and her son to jueteng. She also challenged the Arroyos' accusers to file formal charges against the two.
Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye, also the presidential spokesman, said Arroyo remains committed to eradicating jueteng operations in the country.
Bunye said Arroyo was the one who approved the law imposing heavier penalties on illegal gambling in 2004 and she intends to implement it to the fullest.
"This will be a no let up drive. We expect both the PNP and BIR (Bureau of Internal Revenue) to go after big time operators, but most of all we ask the public to join the government in this campaign," he said.
Presidential adviser for political affairs Gabriel Claudio said Arroyo's declaration an all-out war against jueteng is not a mere response to criticisms, accusations and challenges hurled against her administration by critics and members of the opposition.
"She (Arroyo) is merely being more emphatic about the administration's existing policy and drive against illegal gambling," Claudio said.
He said the move should also serve as a renewed warning to both operators and their protectors that there would no leniency.
Smear campaign
The military branded as mere "allegations" and "smear campaign" the charges against the first gentleman.
Armed Forces Public Information Office Buena-ventura Pascual however refused to name those who may be behind the smear campaign against the President's husband.
Pascual said a case should be filed in court against those who are being accused and not resort to media publicity.
Budget Secretary Emilia Boncodin, meanwhile, said she is open to the idea of legalizing jueteng if only to provide additional funding for the government.
Boncodin said she is against the illegal number's game if it would become the sole source of livelihood of Filipinos, particularly the poor. She said legalizing jueteng may promote a culture of relying on chance and luck among the public. (JFF/JMR)
(May 23, 2005 issue)
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