‘We did our best to fight jueteng’

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — The police chiefs of Pangasinan and Dagupan City, who quit their posts last Friday over a jueteng probe, have insisted that they did their best to stop the illegal numbers game and said they were ready to face any investigation.

Senior Superintendent Arturo Cacdac Jr. and Superintendent Noli Taliño, resigned police chiefs of Pangasinan and Dagupan City, respectively, sought "voluntary relief" from their posts to pave the way for an impartial investigation into their alleged failure to stamp out jueteng.

They said they were ready to comply with the order of the National Police Commission (Napolcom) to explain within 72 hours why they failed to curb jueteng in their turfs.

Two other police officers, Superintendent Alejandro Valerio Jr. and Chief Inspector Harris Fama, heads of the San Carlos City and Malasiqui police, respectively, were also asked to explain their side.

Chief Superintendent Arthur Lomibao, Region 1 (Ilocos) police director, described Cacdac and Taliño as "honorable men" for quitting their posts even before the Napolcom could start its probe.

Lomibao said it’s on record that despite their continued police operations, jueteng operators still managed to operate in some places.

Cacdac was replaced by Senior Superintendent Dominador Ventura, deputy regional director for administration, in a concurrent capacity, while Taliño’s post was temporarily taken over by his deputy, Superintendent Nelson Vidal.

Jueteng raids

Cacdac said that during his six-month stint as Pangasinan police director from Sept. 20, 2002 to March 23, his command conducted several anti-gambling raids, which resulted in the arrest of 416 people and the confiscation of some P122,000 in cash bets.

Of the 11 successful operations of the anti-gambling Task Force Jericho in Pangasinan, Cacdac said nine were jointly conducted with the local police in Calasiao, San Carlos City, Malasiqui, San Fabian, Labrador, Manaoag and Lingayen.

"We would like to appeal to the commissioners of Napolcom that this should not be taken against us," he said.

For his part, Taliño said his station took part in the three anti-jueteng raids, which Napolcom cited in its memorandum.

Concerned Dagupeños have recognized Taliño for his accomplishments as an outstanding police chief. His most recent award was given only last month by the Rotary Club of Manila and the Metrobank Foundation.

A mayor from the eastern part of Pangasinan, who requested not to be identified, said what happened to Cacdac and Taliño was unfair, saying the two police officers have done their best to fight illegal gambling.

He asked why Interior and Local Government Secretary Lina, also concurrent Napolcom chairman, is picking on Pangasinan.

"Lagi niyang pinanggigigilan ang Pangasinan (He is always picking on Pangasinan). How about the other provinces, the President’s province and right in the secretary’s own province where jueteng also thrives?" the mayor asked.

Weak laws

Cacdac said no less than Lina has admitted that it is difficult to stop jueteng because of weak laws against illegal gambling.

Quoting Lina, he said there are four component programs against illegal gambling, namely, provision of alternative means of livelihood, moral recovery to check the culture of gambling among Filipinos, strengthening of illegal gambling laws, and effective law enforcement.

"If only we were given a better weapon — stronger laws — I guess we could have come up with better results in our campaign," he said.

Asked if he still wants to return to Pangasinan once the Napolcom clears him, Cacdac said he is always willing to assume the post.

"I only filed for voluntary relief to pave the way for an impartial investigation so probers can see that we were not remiss in our duties," he said.

Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz, national chairman of the Krusadang Bayan Laban sa Jueteng, told The STAR that what Cacdac and Taliño did was honorable.

"Supposing there’s a serious question mark on my job, I’ll also resign than be removed. Marangal yong ginawa nila (What they did was honorable), admirable," Cruz said.

Krusada recently gave out awards to local government officials who have joined the anti-jueteng crusade.

He denied though that what happened to the four Pangasinan police officials had something to do with their crusade. "If this has something to do with it, then everybody else must be asked to resign or get sacked from their posts," he said. — With Cesar Ramirez and Myds Supnad