2 strikes for Pasig police chief

Six persons have been arrested after being caught collecting jueteng bets inside a parked vehicle in Pasig City. As a result, the Pasig City police chief is in trouble.

Chief Superintendent Rolando Sacramento, director of the Eastern Police District (EPD) warned Pasig City police chief Senior Superintendent Ernesto Catungal to shape up or be shipped out due to his failure to contain illegal gambling and prevent a gas station robbery in his jurisdiction.

"He has two strikes under his sleeve already. This should serve as his last warning because another incident would mean his automatic relief from his post," said Sacramento as he reminded Catungal of the three strikes policy of Metro Manila police chief Deputy Director General Reynaldo Velasco.

In his report to Velasco, Sacramento said the suspects were caught receiving lists of bets from collectors operating in Marikina City and Pasig City along the Marcos Highway in Barangay de la Paz at about 4 p.m.

Arrested by a team of intelligence agents headed by Superintendent Danilo Florentino were Edilberto de la Paz, alias Eddie, table manager; Robert Almazan, alias Obet, and Ronaldo Sandoval alias Rolly, both revisers of bets; Julie Uneta, alias Julie, accountant and bookkeeper, and Elmer Reyes driver and reviser.

Seized from the suspects were P1,291 in various denomination, bundles of jueteng bets, 37 pieces of draw balls, two calculators, six ball pens and a 14-inch knife.

Florentino’s men also confiscated a locally assembled Toyota jeep (NDV-769) used by the group in their illegal gambling activities. Sacramento said the group’s financier, a certain Tony Santos, escaped arrest.

Sacramento said the jueteng raid is the second strike on Catungal after armed men robbed a gasoline station at the corner of Pioneer St., and Shaw Blvd. at 4 a.m. also last Wednesday. – Non Alquitran