2 alleged ‘jueteng’ lords seen to win as Pampanga councilors

LUBAO, Pampanga — Chief Superintendent Enrique Galang, Central Luzon police director, vowed yesterday to double his command’s efforts against illegal gambling, particularly jueteng, amid surveys indicating that at least two suspected gambling lords in Central Luzon are likely to emerge winners in yesterday’s elections.

Galang identified the suspected gambling lords as Mario Garcia, alias Marga, who is with the Lakas-NUCD, and independent candidate Melchor Cali—wag, alias Ngongo, who are both running for councilor in the City of San Fernando.

"There are indications that Ngongo will even top the elections (for city councilor)," Galang said.

Caliwag has allegedly taken over jueteng operations in Pampanga and other parts of Central Luzon since suspected gambling lord Bong Pineda left for the United States last October at the height of the jueteng expose of Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson.

Pineda, who arrived in the country last February, has been "lying low." His wife, Lubao Mayor Lilia Pineda, said he was not even expected to leave their home in Lubao to vote yesterday. Their son, Dennis, is a mayoral candidate in the town.

"It is clear that their candidacies were meant to protect their illegal gambling concerns, " Galang said. "But we will not stop our campaign against jueteng to make their trade unprofitable."

Galang, however, admitted the difficulty of curbing jueteng operations, noting that the illegal numbers game enjoys the support of the local folk. "Even if we pin down one operator, somebody always takes over because jueteng is quite profitable," he said.

He estimated that no less than 300,000 residents in Central Luzon work for jueteng operators.

"Even if we make jueteng legal, illegal forms of gambling will still persist as illegal operators can offer bigger prizes since they are not taxed," he said.

Caliwag initially billed himself as "champion of the youth," then shifted to describing himself as "Robin Hood" of San Fernando. He is known to be generous to needy local folk who seek his assistance.

Galang said he has initiated a three-pronged strategy in the campaign against illegal gambling, including alternative livelihood for those dependent on the illegal operations, law enforcement, and values formation.

He said he has also created a regional inter-agency monitoring committee to monitor jueteng operations in the region. — Ding Cervantes