LAGAWE, Ifugao, Philippines – Unlike in other Northern Luzon areas, this central Cordillera province, famed for its world renowned rice terraces and world’s cultural landmark, may have another reason for renown: being a certified jueteng-free province.
Ifugao Gov. Eugene Ballitang said the illegal numbers game has never taken root in the province despite attempts by jueteng operators to even get a toe-hold in the province.
Ballitang warned jueteng operators not to push their luck too much by trying to enter Ifugao through guerrilla-type or run-and-gun operations.
“We Ifugaos will never allow jueteng operations inside the province or even take bets anywhere here. So, to all jueteng operators, you can run, but you can’t hide. We will run after you,” Ballitang told The STAR.
Operators of the said illegal numbers game had tried in previous years to enter the province, even as recent as the incumbency of then governor Teodoro Baguilat Jr., now representative of Ifugao’s lone congressional district, but have so far failed to establish a permanent presence.
Reports showed they even tried to put up a base in the southern part of the province but, due to the combined strong opposition of the provincial government and other sectors of society and the lack of support from the public, have been unable to do so.
Senior Superintendent Lawrence Mombael, Ifugao police director, vowed before the provincial government and the Church that he will make sure the illegal numbers operations will not succeed here, since he himself is from Ifugao’s Mayoyao town.
“Many have been attempting to put up bases for jueteng operations in Ifugao.”
“With the constant vigilance of our men and with the support of the provincial government and the people, we will make sure that they are not able to do so,” he said.
It is a result of this vigilance that no jueteng operators have so far been able to establish a foothold in Ifugao despite attempts, Mombael said.