2 teen ‘couriers’ rescued in QC ‘jueteng’ den raid

MANILA, Philippines— Two minors, who were allegedly being used by a gambling syndicate as “couriers” for its illegal numbers game operations in Quezon City, were rescued during a raid conducted by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Tuesday night.

Chief Superintendent Samuel Pagdilao Jr., CIDG director, on Wednesday said agents of the agency’s Task Force Maverick swooped down on a suspected “jueteng” den in Barangay (village) Holy Spirit at around 8 p.m. and rescued the two boys, aged 13 and 15.

“These kids should be in school. We should not allow scrupulous individuals to use them and exploit them; much more let them get involved in illegal activities like jueteng operations,” said Pagdilao.

Aside from the minors, 13 suspected jueteng workers were arrested in the raid.

Pagdilao identified them as Rita Tottoc, 56; Maricel Bantaotao, 60, Leonila Arambulo, 79; Marissa Macabalitao, 35; Agustito Rias, 45; Romulo Soleta, 65; Ivan Narag, 18; Jonathan Escano, 25; Teddy Odencial, 40; Leopoldo Alipara, 61; Milagros Manatad, 54; Leah Sandagan, 41; and Armando Capili, 42.

The jueteng operator and financier, identified only as a certain Don Ramon, was not among those arrested, said Pagdilao but added that he and the suspects will face charges of anti-illegal gambling and violation of the anti-child abuse law.

Chief Inspector Manuel Cube, commander of the Central Metro Manila Criminal Investigation and Detection Team in Quezon City was relieved from service by the CIDG director following the raid on the gambling den in Quezon City. Pagdilao stated that this was in line with the one-strike policy for CIDG field commanders.

Philippine National Police deputy spokesperson Senior Superintendent Noel Baraceros said that police precinct commanders covering areas found to have jueteng operations may be sacked for failing to uphold the one-strike policy for gambing operations. Pagdilao stated that he would also recommend the relief of the Police Community Precinct commander covering Barangay Holy Spirit in Quezon City to PNP chief Director General Raul Bacalzo.

Data from the PNP Directorate for Operations showed that nine police chiefs have been relieved from service because of illegal gambling from November 2010 to January 2011.

Several anti-jueteng operations were also conducted by the CIDG in Alabang, Muntinlupa City, since last week, said Pagdilao.