Reyes says jueteng making a comeback, calls for vigilance

Jueteng and other forms of illegal gambling are making a comeback "in some areas" of the country, Interior and Local Government Secretary Angelo Reyes said yesterday.

Reyes urged police and local government officials to be more vigilant in enforcing laws against gambling, particularly Republic Act 9287, which imposes stiffer penalties on illegal gambling operators, especially if they are government officials and employees.

"We are investigating all the reports on illegal gambling for proper action," he said.

"Solving the problem of illegal gambling is a tough undertaking, but illegal activities can be minimized with the help of all the sectors of society," Reyes said.

He said government officials and employees face from 12 years and one day to 20 years in prison if they are convicted under RA 9287 of being a collector, agent, coordinator, controller, supervisor, maintainer, manager, operator or capitalist of jueteng.

"This law goes tough against government officials and persons who are proven to be connected with illegal gambling operations," he said.

"It prescribes stiffer penalties than those under Presidential Decree 1602," Reyes added.

Government officials and employees convicted of operating an illegal gambling den will also be fined between P3 million and P5 million and barred from public office, he added.

Meanwhile, Reyes yesterday banned policemen, jail guards and firemen from beerhouses — even when off-duty — following a shootout between a Special Action Force trooper and a jail guard.

Jail Officer 1 Alfredo Damugo and Senior Police Officer 2 Achilles Alberto were both killed after they dueled with firearms outside a bar in Taguig following an argument.

"As officers of the law, the men and women of the (Philippine National Police), (Bureau of Jail Management and Penology) and the (Bureau of Fire Protection) are required and are expected to display proper decorum at all times since their actions, whether good or bad, reflect on their respective institutions," Reyes said. – Cecille Suerte Felipe