Pampanga gambling raids net 73, but no ‘big fishes’

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — Illegal gambling raids in the past seven days netted 73 people now facing charges in court, but they are apparently only "small fries."

Senior Superintendent Rodolfo Mendoza, Pampanga police director, said anti-gambling operations should serve as reminder that the police "are ready to enforce the law against the perpetrators regardless of who they know or who they may be."

A list which Mendoza’s office furnished reporters shows that the 73 gambling suspects were arrested in Magalang, San Simon, San Luis, Minalin, Floridablanca, Masantol, Arayat, Macabebe, Sta. Rita, Apalit, Mexico, Guagua and this city.

Jueteng operations in this city are alleged to be maintained by Melchor Caluag, alias Ngongo, which was elected chairman of Barangay Dolores last July 15.

Caluag was arrested last August on an illegal gambling charge, but he posted bail.

Chief Superintendent Oscar Calderon, Central Luzon police director, however, has instructed Mendoza to gather more evidence so that more charges could be filed against Caluag.

The Pampanga police said the 73 suspects, presumably mere jueteng bet collectors, were arrested from last Aug. 28 to last Monday.

The gambling raids also netted P9,744 worth of jueteng bets, seven video karera machines and gambling paraphernalia.

"The Pampanga police supports the Arroyo government’s mission to minimize, if not totally stop the proliferation of illegal gambling," said Mendoza, whom President Arroyo hand-picked to head the Pampanga police.