PNP generals raking in millions in jueteng payoffs — Lacson

Philippine National Police (PNP) Criminal Investigation and Detection Group head Director Nestorio Gualberto and Intelligence chief Director Roberto Delfin received P1.8 million in payoffs from jueteng operators in six regions in Luzon, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said yesterday.

In a privilege speech, the former PNP chief read out a list of police officials who are on the payroll of illegal gambling syndicates, from the Ilocos to the Bicol region, as well as the jueteng operators in each region.

Lacson also accused National Bureau of Investigation Director Reynaldo Wycoco, a former police official, of also being on the take.

He said Wycoco is allegedly "using as fronts" Superintendents Melito Mabilin, Cris Garcia, and Totoy Montes.

Lacson said also actively involved in jueteng are the son and brother of former Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson, who is the brother of Honeygirl Singson-de Leon, chairwoman of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

Lacson also linked Senior Superintendent Pedro Tango, commander of the interior department’s "Task Force Jericho," to the jueteng payoffs.

Lacson said Tango is "using elements" of the regional intelligence and security offices to collect bribe money from jueteng operators in Central Luzon.

Jericho member Senior Superintendent Orlando Mabutas allegedly collects jueteng payoffs in the Ilocos Region and Cagayan Valley, while one Senior Superintendent Mascariñas receives bribes in Southern Tagalog and the Bicol Region through Senior Inspector George Bustos.

Lacson said the continued operation of jueteng in Luzon shows that President Arroyo is helpless in stopping illegal gambling, and that this is the primary reason why most police officials do not want to retire.

"These jueteng lords have taken and treated her as a helpless governor who reigns without ruling," he said. "They have succeeded in sucking money from the majority who are poor. And President Arroyo – by her utter helplessness – has chosen to help these suckers even more. (She) pretends not to know; if at all she knows, she has chosen to do nothing."

Lacson said the Ilocos regional police commander is newly promoted Chief Superintendent Arturo Lomibao.

He bared the following in his privilege speech:

Region 1

Ilocos Norte - P2 million daily gross

Financiers: for District 1 - Edmund Aquino; District 2, Richard Chua; and District 3, Danny Lao.

Management: Jose "Bonito" Singson, brother of former Ilocos Sur governor Singson.

Ilocos Sur - P2 - 3 million daily gross

Financier and Operator: Ronald Singson, son of former governor Singson.

La Union – P3 million daily gross

Financiers: District 1, Danny Abasilla; District 2, Bong Artajos.

Management: Romy Lajara.

Pangasinan: P5 -6 million daily gross

Financiers and operators: District 1, Aber Chanchinco; District 2, Bong Cayabyab; District 3, Roland Villegas; District 4, Luding Boongaling; District 5 Efren dela Crus; District 6, Boy Bata.

Region 2

Cagayan - P300,000 daily gross

Financier and Operator: Danny Soriano, brother of Senior Superintendent Jeff Soriano.

Isabela - P4 million daily gross

Financier and Operator: Rodolfo "Bong" Pineda.

Nueva Ecija – P800,000 daily gross

Financier and Operator: Boy Tuzon.

Quirino - P300,000 daily gross

Financier and Operator: Luding Boongaling.

Bataan - P2 million daily gross

Financier: Bong Pineda.

Pampanga - P6 million daily gross

Financiers and operators: Bong Pineda rakes in P2 million daily from Lubao, Bacolor, Guagua and Angeles City; Melchor Caluag receives P1.5 million daily from San Fernando; Paris Tolentino, P1 million daily from Angeles City and Arayat; Otto Balboa, Apalit; Mario Garcia, P1 million daily from Mabalacat and Mexico; former mayor Oscar Tetangco, Macabebe; and Mayor Corazon Lacap, wife of Health Underscretary Epifanio Lacap, 4th district.

Tarlac - P2-2.3 million daily gross

Financier: Engineer Constantino Palad, P400,000 - P500,000 daily, Tarlac City.

Financier and Operator: Bebot Roxas.

Zambales - P1.5 million - P2 million daily gross

Financier: son of Gov. Vic Magsaysay.

Management: Peping Beldan.

Olongapo City - P600,000 - P800,000 daily gross

Financier: Aging Lalisan.

Management: Teddy Lisan.

Nueva Ecija - P5 million daily gross

Financier: Luding Boongaling

Management: Elan Elegano