An all-out offensive against all forms of illegal gambling has been ordered in the Philippines, where the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) will conduct lifestyle checks on suspected jueteng operators and their alleged protectors in government. BIR Commissioner Kim Henares said their investigation would take off from the lists of past and present officials allegedly on the take from jueteng operators.

Retired Archbishop Oscar Cruz presented his list of jueteng operators to the Senate last Tuesday. Cruz’s list included the names of Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Rico Puno and former Philippine National Police chief Jesus Verzosa.

Sen. Miriam Santiago presented her own list the following day, saying that “Whoever is mentioned in the long list will be subject to scrutiny,” adding that the BIR would check whether the income tax returns filed by those on the list are reflective of their lifestyles: “It is but normal and natural for the BIR to investigate when information is given to us.”

Speaking in New York, President Aquino ordered authorities to gather evidence against those on the lists to make sure they land in jail if found guilty. The checks will cover residential properties of the suspected jueteng operators and protectors, their vehicles, travels and even the schools of their children.

Last Tuesday Police Regional Office 6 Director, C/Supt. Samuel D. Pagdilao Jr., launched an all-out offensive against all forms of illegal gambling in response to a directive by PNP Director-General Raul Bacalzo. Since the end of July, the PNP has launched 112 operations against illegal gambling, leading to the arrest of 166 persons and the confiscation of bets. The directive, relayed by Pagdilao, to all police and city directors during Tuesday’s command conference held in Manila, urged them to be serious in the campaign by conducting “more raids on illegal gambling dens and arrests of illegal gambling bet collectors throughout the Western Visayas region.”

In ensuring the success of the campaign, Pagdilao has instructed his subordinates to coordinate with their respective local chief executives (LCEs) and ask their support to scuttle, or curb illegal gambling. The PRO 6 has gone all out in its offensive against illegal gambling and video karera machines following the success of its drive against robbery groups since Pagdilao assumed his post in July. The crackdown was also directed against daily double, first-two and small town lottery (STL) bookies. (E-09.24.10)

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