Even military camps not immune from jueteng

No place is immune from the illegal numbers game called jueteng. Not even the country’s military camps.

Think about the combination: a simple game which offers an opportunity for quick and easy money and an ever-present need for extra income.

A former ranking renegade soldier confirmed yesterday that the military itself is operating jueteng, with winning numbers being drawn right inside the camps.

Rebolusyonaryong Alyansang Makabansa (RAM) spokesman former Capt. Proceso Maligalig claimed that just last week he placed a bet with his cobrador (bet collector) right inside the office of Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado.

RAM, which used to stand for the Reformed the Armed Forces Movement, was responsible for a series of coup attempts during the Aquino administration. The group has since forged a peace agreement with government, and appears to still have access to military facilities.

"I don’t know if they are still operating now, what with the scandal and all. But I can tell you that just last week I was able to place a bet," Maligalig told The STAR.

The former rebel soldier was among yesterday’s guests at a forum held in a Manila hotel.

Maligalig said draws were being conducted regularly at the Army headquarters at Fort Bonifacio in Makati City. He said the bangka, the equivalent of the franchise holder of the game, is the Masagana block, a Manila-based jueteng group rumored to be under the protection of certain lawmen.

He noted that the military has long been involved in the operation of jueteng as well as an illegal horse race numbers game.

"What can you do? Jueteng is very lucrative, and cobradors can earn as much as P200 daily, which is more than enough for their daily needs," Maligalig said.