Illegal gambling, rumbles, robberies

BULL’S HIT
Rudy Garcia

The recently created peace and order committee in Baguio is a welcome move by Mayor Mauricio Domogan Jr., who thought perhaps that forming a group to make the peace and order situation in this mountain resort city better is the best way to curb criminality.

To recall, just as he assumed office months ago, he formed an anti-illegal gambling group called “Task Force Jupiter” and somehow this group made some accomplishments but not satisfactory as expected. Why?

Because, some people of this supposed anti-gambling group are they themselves the protectors! Don’t we forget that the mayor himself (even if he denied it) was implicated in the illegal numbers game of that once upon a time untouchable jueteng.
The point is, if some appointed members of this peace and order committee are the same people who used to protect those establishments serving liquor, we can expect a committee that could be likely another task force Jupiter.

Last Tuesday at around 12 midnight, I, witnessed a street rumble along Abanao and Shagem streets, believed to be a gang war of youngsters who are members of different fraternities.

As usual, our cops responded t o the incident several minutes after, but funny for they were not able to apprehend any of those involved. Imagine the cops running after those persons running and when they caught them only frisked them then let them walk away freely without even inviting them to a police station for investigation.
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I have been calling the attention of local authorities regarding the time of operation of liquor establishments at Kayang Hilltop. These establishments should be closed at exactly 9 p.m. but this, I believe is not being followed. It is also a fact that youngsters either are allowed or regularly seen drinking just outside the Junior Kayang Bakery at Kayang Hilltop even early to late evenings.

These youngsters, aside from those who were regular clients of videoke joints at Ermita along Otek St., were among those involved in that said Nov. 16 street fighting incident.

Concerned authorities particularly the permits and licensing division should look after these establishments serving liquor considering that their line of business as listed in their business permits, are restaurants or plain coffee shops.

Take for example those establishments along Abanao and streets and establishments at the rooftop of Maharlika business center building. These establishments I was informed, were causing too much headache to policemen assigned in these areas.

Why they were allowed to serve liquor is a question to those nincompoops at the city hall. After all they could also be the ones appointed as members to this newly created peace and order committee. How is it, ladies and gentlemen of the committee? What position did you commit yourselves on the matter? The position to protect the interest of the few? Just asking.
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How true is it that there is illegal gambling going on at City Camp Central just beside the barangay health center, according to my bubuwit, who received information from his informant that madjong was rampant on this joint and games of poker were also being played?

If this were true, then where are the operatives of Task Force Jupiter? Does the honorable councilor Joel Alangsab know this? If he doesn’t, how come, when he lives near that area? Well, as they say everything is possible to settle under the sun, Hehehe.
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Is it true that the jai-alai joint along km 3 in La Trinidad, Benguet is being used as a front for the illegal numbers game jueteng? I could only say that the jueteng operators are really smart, but I believe the officials in government positions who are protecting this illegal activity are smarter. Why?

Besides making this illegal activity legal, they are also saving their faces in the eyes of the public and are likewise saving money from SOPs. Sila na lamang ang puwedeng makinabang. Dalawang ibon sa isang putok. Whew!
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The recent robbery wherein the offices of steno and clerical division and councilors Elmer Datuin, Ysabel de Vera and Nicasio Palaganas located at the west wing 2nd floor of Baguio City Hall were ransacked is an incident that placed local officials and the police in an embarrassing situation.

But the main point of investigation should be on the security agency that handles the security of city hall building, which is the Interlink Management Security Corp.
With the reported terrorist groups having entered the Philippines, it is alarming that a simple robbery was not detected on a prime government building which is a stone’s throw away from a police headquarters.

Whether the explanation of the security agency was justified or not, it is more appropriate for concerned officials to get into the bottom of this matter and let the concerned agencies, government or not held responsible if found guilty. Paano na kung bomba ang naipasok sa City Hall, nakakahiya!