‘Loteng’ invades Aurora

BALER, Aurora — This province, which remains free from jueteng operations, has been invaded by a new game of chance called loteng.

The STAR gathered that loteng is flourishing in the central municipalities of Ma. Aurora, Dipaculao, San Luis and this capital town. The operations are reportedly being financed by an operator this town and from Manila.

One of the financiers reportedly provided P30,000 as seed money to start the operations. A source said the fund has now grown to P400,000.

San Luis Mayor Mariano Tangson, younger brother of Vice Gov. Annabelle Tangson, told The STAR that loteng is proliferating in the town because policemen are tolerating it.

Loteng, which is patterned after jueteng but the winning numbers are drawn once a day from results of lotto draws, operates guerrilla-style. Bettings are done hi-tech style, through the use of cellular phones.

The collected bets are handled by a cabo while the list of bettors is in the hands of another person, making it virtually impossible to detect.

Tangson alleged that policemen are coddling loteng operators and are even seen with cabos in drinking sessions.

Tangson said the government should also clamp down on loteng.

Police Superintendent Teodoro Saclolo, provincial police director, admitted that they are helpless against loteng but he said his men are doing everything to stop it.

Saclolo noted that Aurora Gov. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo has a standing order to completely stamp out loteng operations. Only recently, a number of cabos were arrested and the vehicles used in collecting bets were seized.

Saclolo said the reason why the police are having a hard time stopping loteng is because the cabos and kubradors can easily post bail. He said those arrested usually apply for a reduction of the bail bond from the court and it is generally granted. Normally, bail bonds cost P10,000 but these can be reduced to half.

He said though that loteng is not as lucrative as reported. In fact, he said, winnings are reduced by the operators such as an incident when a winner took home only P80,000 from the winning prize of P140,000.