Illegal gambling dens,bold shows

by Rudy Garcia

First, my commendation goes to the composite of the Criminal Investigation Detective Group for their immediate action in closing the illegal gambling den along Burgos St. beside the loading point of public utility jeeps bound for Dreamland, Baguio City, which is just below the hidden massage and Videoke Bar.

This is laudable because it only took three days for these authorities to put a stop to the illegal activity after it was exposed in this column. I hope this is not only for a show “Dahil di ko sila tatantanan. This serves as warning to other operators who are doing the same illegal activities in the city. They better stop or pack up. Maliwanag?

Few months ago, I exposed through my column the illegal drag racing activities at South Drive Road and Military Circle. Those involved are believed to be costumers from the bar joints at Nevada Square -- mostly intoxicated youngsters and high on prohibited drugs.

This activity not only caused danger from accidents but also disturbed residents living nearby. Call it coincidence but this activity causing much inconvenience was stopped after my expose.
Some residents of DPS and Green Water barangays living near the Nevada Square have been indignant of frequent troubles within their community by costumers, mostly youngsters from bar joints at Nevada Square perceived to be members of warring fraternities and gangsters. They have also wondered how minors were able to enter and allowed to drink liquor inside those night establishments at Nevada.

Residents claimed that since Nevada Square started to open bar joints serving liquor and intoxicating beverages, they also started to feel the inconvenience like fear and disturbance at night. Oftentimes, they were awakened by too much noise, shout6ing, crying, bottles being broken, throwing of stones and empty bottles, people running here and there, sounds of moaning stamping, and stones hitting their houses,

Adding to their disgust according to them was the slow response of the policemen who were called to respond. Usually, cops reportedly only arrived when an untoward incident was over just like in the action movies.

I think this is another concern Baguio City acting police Chief Moises Guevarra should take priority.. Could you imagine responding policemen with no one to apprehend, no suspect to present, going back to their headquarters empty handed? And their only role is to bring those victims to the hospitals? I believe the acting police chief can handle these complaints and believe me, he will immediately institute appropriate action to discipline his men, Tama ba ako tsip? Pakibusisi naman!

The residents also want to call the attention of Mr. Elmo Nevada who is running for mayor in this summer capital, that since the subject complaint is a family enterprise of the Nevada clan, he (Elmo) being a candidate for the top executive post in the city should look into the matter otherwise, they say, this issue will affect his candidacy.

I was able to get the side of Nevada. Well, he said he is not sleeping or ignoring the matter in concern and in fact he already talked to his brother Edong to take all necessary actions to put an end to all problems at Nevada Square. “I have social responsibilities and I must do what is right,” was his final statement. Ibig sabihin ay gusto ni Ginoong Elmo Nevada na masunod ang tamang pagpapatupad sa ating batas na walang inuurungan o kinikilingan kung kailangang ipasara ang dapat ipasara ay dapat na itong isara.

Discipline is among the factors that make a city a character City but it seems that some citizens don’t know how to practice this or it’s not in their vocabulary. Take for example what the volunteers of Kabalikat did last Holy week at a waiting shade that serves as their SUMVAC Volunteer Camp at Mil. Circle.

True, this volunteer group contributed much for the convenient stay of summer visitors but look what they just left from their place after the event, lots of garbage scattered, empty bottles and empty food packages believed to be left over from their merry making.
Well, what these volunteers did was another job for other volunteers, right Kabalikat? Should we say kababain? Ask any resident at DPS Barangay who saw those stinking garbage left by those kabalikat volunteers and they will say “Talaga a nga Kababain”

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I wonder if those disco bars or nightclubs showing male or female models dancing naked in front of their costumers are enjoying protection from some government officials and the police.

Can this be the reason why some operators of nightclubs in this summer capital let their models go all the way without any fear of being apprehended? Or, the other reason is the laxity of concerned authorities in monitoring or conducting inspections to these establishments? Or are they themselves the protectors?

Look at those adjoining nightspots along Naguillian Road, Magsaysay Ave., Lower Bokawkan Road. Carino-Otek Street, Legarda and Marcos Highway. One example is the Gagamba Disco and gay bar found along Naguillian Road. Go there and see it for yourselves dear readers. And how about the former Arvies Angels (Formerly Ray Martin) along lower Magsaysay? If not for our exposure, I guess that nightspot is still operating now with the backing of a popular politician from the North now aspiring for a senatorial seat and an incumbent councilor and a candidate for vice mayor (I Hope you got the right guess who these two are.)

I will be making more exposures and will identify nightspots establishments showing bold shows in my net issue. Abangan.

We will be exposing several complaints of some vendors at the city market regarding the perceived arrogance and show of superiority by a certain Mr. Alabanza who is known to be the pinakasiga among the meat traders in our next issue.