Cops nab 9 jueteng bet collectors in Quezon

LUCENA CITY –– At least nine persons were caught while engaged in the illegal numbers game “jueteng” in the town of Calauag in Quezon province on Wednesday, police said Thursday.

Joint regional, provincial and local anti-illegal gambling operatives arrested Agusto Esguerra, Lauro Ibatuan, Estelito Nayosa, Wilma Resaba, Racquel Ana, Isabelita Dequilla, Berna Nuñez, Justina Herrera and Helen Ricalde.

The nine were arranging money bets for jueteng draw in their safe house in Barangay Doña Aurora around 11:30 a.m., Quezon police director Colonel Audie Madrideo, said in a report.

Two other suspects, Joy Capilit and one alias “Boss Beting,” escaped.

Some 98 pieces of “lastillas” (list of bets), assorted jueteng paraphernalia and P7,980 worth of bet money were confiscated.

Madrideo said the Calauag police station chief would not be relieved under the Philippine National Police’s “one-strike” policy.

Under the PNP’s “one-strike” policy, a police chief would be relieved once illegal gambling operations are reported in their areas.

The report did not state if the suspects were former bet collectors of the government-run Small Town Lottery (STL).

In an earlier interview, Madrideo said the provincial police were expecting the resurgence of jueteng but warned that they were ready to stop illegal gambling operations.

On July 26, President Duterte suspended all games operated by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office among them, lotto, STL, Peryahan ng Bayan, and Keno, pending investigation of irregularities.

After four days, the President allowed the resumption of lotto draws after the government’s initial report showed that its operations were not tainted by irregularities or corruption.

The plight of local STL workers compelled the Quezon provincial board to request President Duterte to reopen the government-run lottery. /lzb