Gambling and jueteng

BEHIND THE SCENES

Alfred P. Dizon

Gambling in this Banana Republic, legal or illegal is a way of life. All forms of gambling abound and the favorite of course is jueteng, considered the masa’s game.

The top honchos of the Philippine National Police recently issued an order directing police chiefs to go after gambling. But everywhere you go, you still find people gambling their hours and money away. Curiously, the term jueteng is not mentioned in such directives. But let’s take a breather from this game which benefits a lot of undertakers and talk of gambling in wakes.  

Before the plane crash Thursday in Laguna that nearly cost his life, PNP chief Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa issued an order allowing gambling during wakes.

Gambling during wakes is allowed provided there are only two tables one for card games and the other for the tile-based game mahjong, Gamboa said Tuesday. “All other games, including bingo, will not be allowed para klaro tayo.”

Gamboa’s directive, in effect, revoked the order of National Capital Region Police Office Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas banning all forms of gambling during wakes.

“Pero balik pa rin tayo doon sa one table per game, maximum of two tables,” the PNP chief said. Gamboa said he arrived at the decision following a discussion with ranking police officials.

Gambling sessions are normal during wakes to keep a 24-hour vigil over the dead until the burial.

Wakes are being used by the relatives of the dead as opportunities to hold gambling sessions with the “tong” used to finance burial services among others.  

But even with this, Gamboa said they would seek the opinion of local chief executives on the issue. If there is no response, he said it would become the PNP’s policy.

In Baguio for example, there is an ordinance banning gambling and drinking during wakes particularly at funeral parlors. What will happen now?

The PNP also allowed cockfights on the condition that the games are held in cockpit arenas authorized by local government units.

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In the summer capital, according to sources, gambling is still openly being done. Jueteng kubradors, under the guise of being small town lottery (STL) collectors solicit bets openly in jeepney stations, sari-sari stores and sidewalks. Sources say card game joints particularly that one along Legarda Road are still operating.

It is different in nearby La Trinidad, Benguet where jueteng bet collectors or kubradores do it discreetly.

I know a jueteng kubrador who set up a table on a side street and openly solicited bets but later took it out after advice from undertakers.

We don’t know if the top honchos of Baguio and La Trinidad, particularly the police know this, but our friendly perennially drunk neighborhood always gives a wink when asked about the matter.

Anyway, aside from Metro Manila, the PNP last week named seven regions in the country that have rampant illegal gambling activities.

The PNP said these regions are Bicol, Cagayan, Valley, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon), Central Luzon, Central Visayas, Ilocos and Western Visayas.

Our neighborhood philosopher is wondering why the Cordillera was not included when jueteng is still rampant is some provinces.

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While the PNP has monitored illegal gambling operations in Mindanao, these are not as rampant compared to the activities in Luzon and the Visayas, PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said.

The PNP has intensified operations against all forms of illegal gambling such as video karera and jueteng, particularly in Metro Manila.

“Kapag natigil dito sa Kalakhang Maynila ang illegal na sugal, inaasahan natin na mapapatigil din natin sa ibang mga regions (If we can stop illegal gambling in Metro Manila, we can also stop the same in other regions), Banac said over radio station dzBB.

He urged local governments units and the religious sector to help curb illegal gambling, saying the PNP cannot do it alone.

“We need the help of the local government because the problem on illegal gambling is very complex,” Banac said, adding the church is needed in the spiritual and moral reformation of people addicted to gambling.

Top PNP officials said they are not ruling out the possibility that corrupt police officers are protecting gambling operators. I could see that wink again from our philosopher.

PNP chief Gamboa has sacked several police commanders for failing to eradicate illegal gambling activities in their jurisdictions.

Among those recently relieved in Metro Manila were three chiefs of police and eight police community precinct commanders.

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Banac meanwhile urged lawmakers to craft laws that would help poor families bury their dead without having to raise funds by holding gambling activities during wakes.

He said all forms of gambling, including during wakes, are covered by PNP law enforcement operations.

While he said the PNP sympathizes with the indigents, it has to implement the law. Gamboa is allowing gambling during wakes while Banac is discouraging it.

Our philosopher says the PNP is indeed a hydra of many heads and those at the lower ranks could only shake their heads. 

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Like in any group or organization, the PNP has its share of scalawags.

The chief of the Philippine National Police Civil Society Group (CSG) has implemented a third round of revamp, relieving over 50 officers amid allegations of corruption and other irregularities.

A total of 30 ranking officials, 17 non-commissioned officers and five non-uniformed personnel were relieved from their posts as part of the internal cleansing, CSG director Maj. Gen. Roberto Fajardo announced last week.

Fajardo said the highest official affected by the revamp was a police colonel, whom he refused to name.

He said the officers were put on floating status over alleged malpractices and too much familiarity with clients of the CSG. 

Fajardo said intelligence operatives confirmed the irregularities committed by the officers, such as extorting fees for processing and release of documents.

He noted that there were also fake licenses issued for firearms and security guards. 

This is the third reshuffle ordered by Fajardo, with a total of 69 personnel relieved since he took over the CSG post last year. 

Fajardo said he would continue the quarterly revamp until he gets complaints from the public against CSG officers. 

He urged complainants to come forward so that administrative charges may be filed against the relieved officials.

Our philosopher is asking with a wink, if anybody knows a police scalawag, particularly those still in active service. 

Anyway, the CSG supervises private security, protection and detective agencies as well as the licensing and registration of firearms and explosives.

Fajardo said the CSG has been able to expedite processes and transactions to ensure a three-day rule in line with the Ease of Doing Business law.