De Leon: No-take policy on jueteng

Newly-installed Metro police chief Director Ricardo de Leon ordered yesterday his five district directors and 37 station commanders to strictly adhere to the "no-take" policy of the Philippine National Police (PNP) standing on illegal gambling.

Barely warming up his seat, De Leon issued his order amid reports that illegal gambling, particularly jueteng, has flourished in Metro Manila the past months.

"The gambling lords are taking advantage of the early political season and have been monitored to be expanding their illegal gambling businesses under the very noses of the police and local government officials," a source at Camp Crame said.

De Leon was installed as chief of the National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO) in a massive revamp ordered by PNP chief Director General Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. last month.

He debunked claims that regional directors of the NCRPO and Police Regional Offices I to V have become instant millionaires after a month in office because of jueteng pay-offs.

"That has always been the perception of the public but it’s not true," De Leon pointed out as he vowed to crush jueteng in his turf.

He reminded ranking police officials in Metro Manila that illegal gambling is included, along with heinous crimes, in the "three strike" policy that was ordered for strict implementation by President Arroyo.

"Police officials should toe the line because I will not hesitate to relieve them once three heinous crimes, including jueteng raids, take in their area of responsibility," De Leon said in an interview.

Under the "three-strike" set-up, precinct commanders are the first to go if they fail to act on illegal gambling and heinous crimes.

After three precinct commanders are sacked, it will be the turn of the station commanders. The relief of three station commanders would mean the sacking of district directors.

De Leon too would be relieved if three district directors are sacked for being remiss on their duties.

Of the five district directors, the head of the Eastern and Southern Police Districts, Chief Superintendents Oscar Valenzuela and Prospero Noble, respectively, are newly designated while the rest are holdovers.