NBI: No word war with PNP brass

MANILA, Philippines - The National Bureau of Investigation refused to be dragged into a word war with the Philippine National Police regarding anti-jueteng operations, saying the NBI would rather discuss with the media the progress of heinous crimes they are presently handling.

In a newspaper report (not The STAR), National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Nicanor Bartolome was quoted as saying that the NBI’s recent anti-jueteng operation in Muntinlupa was not coordinated with the local police.

In a phone talk with a ranking NBI official who requested not to be named, he said it is one of the mandates of the agency to go after illegal gambling. However, he refused to elaborate and be dragged into a word war with the PNP, but would rather discuss on the progress of NBI operations against heinous crimes.

NBI agents had recently arrested three jueteng cabos (operations manager) identified as Marvin Manalo, Malou Reyes and Joseph Duran in Muntinlupa market while collecting jueteng bets. Jueteng stubs and bets were seized from the suspects.

Sources told The STAR that bets for the illegal numbers game are being collected in the provinces but draws are held in southern part of Metro Manila. The same sources said the three arrested cabos are henchmen of alleged jueteng lord Allan Manuela, a retired policeman.

Manuela is reportedly lording it over the illegal numbers game in Muntinlupa through payoffs from ranking police and local officials in the city and high police officials in Camp Crame. Due to his successful operation in Muntinlupa, Manuela is reportedly planning to expand his base in Manila.

Manila Police District director Chief Superintendent Roberto Rongavilla has warned his 11 police station commanders against offer of weekly payoff from jueteng lords who are reportedly planning to expand their operations in Manila.