LGUs also to be blamed for jueteng

From now on, it will not only be the police who can be blamed for the proliferation of jueteng and other forms of illegal gambling in Metro Manila but local government officials as well.

The police have always been blamed each time illegal gambling exists or mushrooms in their jurisdiction and Metro Manila police chief Director Romeo Peña wants to erase that notion.

Yesteday, Peña ordered that all police raids on illegal gambling joints should have the written consent of the mayor concerned.

"We would like to solve the illegal gambling problem in tandem with local chief executives," said Peña. "We strongly believe that the way to stamp out jueteng is joint responsibility."

Chief Superintendents Simeon Dizon Jr., and Avelino Razon, head of the Eastern and Western Police Districts, respectively, agreed.

"I strongly believe in that. The local chief executives have supervision over us and should also be held answerable for the proliferation of illegal gambling in their areas," said Dizon in a telephone interview.

Razon said Manila Mayor Lito Atienza requires him and his men to conduct a relentless anti-gambling drive and continue implementing the "no take policy" intitiated by the former head of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Dizon vowed to stop jueteng in the EPD. The blessings of local chief executives, Dizon said, would make their illegal gambling campaign more effective.

Interior Secretary Joey Lina has given acting PNP Chief Deputy Director General Leandro Mendoza up to March 1 to stamp out jueteng and other forms of illegal gambling in the country.

Lina’s directive was apparently aimed at preventing politicians from flooding the country with jueteng money in the coming May 14 congressional and local elections.

Initial reports, Peña said that the five police districts and 37 police stations in Metro Manila are succeeding in their anti-illegal gambling drives.

"We are right on target. But this does not mean that we will now lower our guard against illegal gambling," Peña stressed.

Peña is confident Metro Manila would be cleared of jueteng and other forms of illegal gambling.

"If not, then it would not only be the police who will be blamed, but also the local officials," he said. – Non Alquitran