No jueteng in Isabela, says embattled cop chief

ILAGAN, Isabela– “No jueteng operations exist in the province, especially in the first district, (including this capital town).”

Senior Supt. Jimmy Rivera, provincial police director said this as he belied reports his command has done nothing about illegal gambling in this country’s third largest province.

Provincial officials led by Gov. Grace Padaca have sought the relief of Rivera who, for his part, said he has been fully concentrating on his job of maintaining peace and order in the province.

“I have no hard feelings against those calling for my relief, not even the governor. I’m ready to be relieved anytime. I’m just using this time to concentrate on my work,” he said.

Rivera said he would not hesitate to order the “immediate relief” of the police chief of any town where jueteng bet collectors are found.

Rivera said they have been exerting all efforts to ensure that jueteng does not take root here.
“I will voluntarily resign (as police director) if (there will be an) arrest (of) any person connected with jueteng,” he added.

Meanwhile, Chief Supt. Roberto Damian, Cagayan Valley police director, said Padaca’s letter seeking Rivera’s relief “did not give any particular reason why they wanted him relieved.”
“The letter was very general,” said Damian, adding Camp Crame has not yet named Rivera’s replacement in response to Padaca’s letter to PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa.

Some local officials, among them Vice Gov. Ramon Reyes, earlier sought Rivera’s relief, too, alleging his poor working relations with them and his failure to curb jueteng despite a provincial board resolution calling for its stoppage.

Besides the jueteng issue, Reyes cited Rivera’s alleged lack of participation in local activities like Isabela’s founding anniversary celebration, among other things.
“He should attend (important) provincial functions to show that he considers himself part of the governor’s team,” he said.

Some local Church officials, however, have reportedly come out in support of Rivera’s retention, citing his accomplishments as provincial police director.

Junior police officers here have also expressed support for Rivera’s leadership. -- CL