'Jai-alai crackdown outside CEZA to continue'

MANILA, Philippines - Government authorities will continue to arrest people involved in the illegal operations of Meridien Vista Gaming Corp. outside Cagayan, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo said yesterday.

Robredo said Meridien is not authorized to collect bets outside Cagayan.

“The prevailing court order right now is the 60-day temporary restraining order of the Court of Appeals, thus the cease-and-desist order of Gaming and Amusement Board (against Meridien) is valid,” he said.

He said the DILG-Department of Justice circular indicated that Meridien can only collect bets in fronton and not off-fronton, meaning its personnel cannot collect bets outside the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority.

In a statement, Meridien, however, said an appeal is pending before the Supreme Court and that all parties have to observe the status quo out of respect for the tribunal.