Jueteng persists in Nueva Vizcaya

By Charlie Lagasca

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – Despite calls by the provincial government for its stoppage, jueteng continues to thrive here with its operators reportedly riding on the online game of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

Sources said those behind the illegal numbers game, dubbed as “Bingo sa Barangay,” have been taking advantage of the operations of the PCSO’s “Bingo Mil-yonaryo,” using gambling paraphernalia similar to the state-run firm’s online numbers game, apparently to deceive bettors.

Senior Supt. Valfrie Tabian, provincial police director, said they have arrested at least 13 suspected workers, including bet collectors, of the “Bingo sa Barangay” since last month. 

Some residents though doubted the arrests since the illegal lottery has persisted, even expanding its presence in at least eight towns, including this capital town, and the premier municipalities of Bagabag and Bambang.

This developed despite last month’s letter by Gov. Ruth Padilla asking Camp Crame for a halt to all illegal gambling activities in the province amid reports that the illegal lottery was being run by people identified with the provincial administration. 

Some of the governor’s allies had allegedly asked for cash advances from “Bingo sa Barangay” operators for their continued operations in their respective turfs. 

Meanwhile, as part of its experimental operation, PCSO’s “Bingo Milyonaryo’’ has established online stations here and in the towns of Diadi, Bagabag, Dupax del Norte, Dupax del Sur and Aritao in preparation for a province-wide rollout.

Based on records, the franchise for PCSO’s online lottery here is held by the Moon Valley Amusement Gaming Corp. with retired police Senior Supt. Edgardo Divina of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group reportedly acting as operations manager. 

“Bingo Milyonaryo” workers here have complained of poor collections due to the continued presence of the illegal “Bingo sa Barangay.”