Mayor bares bribe try on ‘Last Two’

DIGOS CITY—Financiers of the illegal numbers racket “Last Two” here are feeling the heat from the city government’s stepped-up campaign against the criminal operation, Mayor Joseph Peñas said yesterday.

Peñas told Inquirer that recently, a gambling lord offered him money in an apparent bid to stop the campaign, which started last month following a city council resolution asking police to shut down betting stations of Last Two, which uses the last two digits of winning numbers from the government-run Lotto.

He said the financier, whom he refused to identify pending his arrest by police, sent an emissary a few days ago to offer him bribe.

Although he did not have the emissary arrested for offering a bribe to a government official, Peñas said he reported the matter to the police.

“No one can stop me from my campaign against illegal gambling,” said the mayor.

Supt. Solomon de Castilla, city police chief, confirmed receiving Peñas’ report.

Pressed on why the emissary or the principal had not been charged yet with bribery based on the mayor’s report, De Castilla said police were still planning their next move.

De Castilla would not say what exactly the plans are but pledged that a result could become visible starting next week.

Peñas said Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo had taken notice of the Inquirer reports on Last Two and also ordered him to clamp down on the illegal numbers game.

He said he relayed to the secretary that the underworld network that runs Last Two could only be stopped by a determined action by police.

But Peñas said one reason the problem persists was that some law enforcers could be benefiting from it.

“I believe that some policemen also receive bribe money or are involved in illegal gambling themselves,” he said.

An Inquirer source said that Camp Crame also took notice of the Inquirer reports on Last Two and ordered the provincial police office to intensify the campaign against it. Orlando B. Dinoy, Inquirer Mindanao