New DILG head denies links to ‘jueteng’

New DILG secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento. FILE PHOTO

IRKED by persistent reports linking him to “jueteng,” Interior Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento on Monday ordered the police to arrest anyone using his name in connection with the illegal gambling activity.

“I will never allow anyone to represent me just to tarnish my good name. I urge the public to immediately report to the DILG whenever they hear anyone (using my name) to collect bribes or protection money,” Sarmiento said.

In a statement, Sarmiento said he had also ordered the creation of a special body in the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to lead the “renewed” campaign against the underground numbers game.

He said the special body would also monitor the compliance by the Philippine National Police with his directive to intensify operations against jueteng, illegal drugs and other unlawful activities.

He said he had instructed PNP Director General Ricardo Marquez to “launch a renewed and more intensive campaign against illegal vices, especially narcotics and gambling.”

Fund raising for polls

“Let me make it very clear that I will never give protection to anyone, any group or any illegal activity,” Sarmiento said. “I will never take any money to protect illegal activities.”

Sarmiento earlier said that politicians could be allowing illegal gambling in their areas to raise funds for next year’s elections.

A ranking PNP intelligence officer had told the Inquirer that a certain Tony was behind the resurgence of jueteng in Metro Manila.

P10M a day

The source said Tony was making P10 million a day from jueteng draws held thrice daily in the 16 cities and one municipality in the National Capital Region.

The source added that a certain Baby had been introducing himself as Sarmiento’s “bagman” who was allegedly authorized by the secretary to collect payoffs.

Sarmiento said he would “not hesitate to order the arrest and file charges” against individuals dropping his name for “financial favors from vice syndicates and other crime organizations.”

Meanwhile, Sarmiento denied the DILG was demanding fees to deliver police patrol jeeps that the PNP recently purchased as part of its modernization program.

He said the DILG did not send any of its personnel to collect money from mayors to process the distribution of the police vehicles, which was started by his predecessor, former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas.

“We have been receiving reports from our regional and field offices and from mayors that some unscrupulous individuals have approached them… to demand various sums of money for the shipment of the patrol jeeps,” Sarmiento said.

He added: “Our projects do not require facilitation fees or any kind of payment or charges prior to release or approval. Please report any such illegal transaction immediately to the (PNP).”