‘Jueteng’ among targets of Duterte

THOUSANDS of supporters of incoming President Rodrigo Duterte in Cebu City raise their fists, mimicking the gesture of the winner in the presidential race during the campaign which many took to mean as determination in the fight against criminality. LITO TECSON/CEBU DAILY NEWS

DAVAO CITY—“Jueteng” and other forms of illegal gambling, which have proliferated in many parts of the country, are now among the targets of the tough anticriminality campaign that presumptive president Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte vowed to launch as soon as he assumes office, according to his spokesperson.

Peter Laviña, Duterte’s spokesperson, said the new President would make good on his promise to end criminality, including corruption, within the first six months of his term.

Other forms of illegal gambling that would be targeted, Laviña said, were “Last Two,” “Masiao” and “Swertres.”

Laviña said the illegal numbers game of jueteng, which has gone on for decades, had “practically become a way of life, especially in Central Luzon.”

“We just can’t tolerate this,” said Laviña. “This will be part of our moral recovery campaign,” he added.

“It will be done in the context of fighting crime,” Laviña told the Inquirer.

“It will be up to the Philippine National Police to implement the President’s order,” he said.

Laviña said the new administration of Duterte would find ways to give alternative sources of livelihood to those who depended on illegal gambling for their income.

“That will be part of our economic policies,” said Laviña. “That’s why we need to invite more investors so that we can generate more jobs,” he said.

Projected to be displaced by a renewed campaign against illegal gambling are thousands of jueteng bet collectors.

“That’s why we need to have more jobs,” said Laviña. “That’s why we need to deliver agricultural support since most of those who are into jueteng in Central Luzon are farmers,” he said.

Laviña said the anti-illegal gambling campaign would need the “overhaul of the system and cleansing of police ranks.”

Duterte, during his campaign, promised to increase salaries of policemen and soldiers to levels that would wean them away from involvement in crimes.

In Davao City, aside from allowances, policemen also receive rice allowances that are released to their wives.

During the campaign, Laviña had said it was “truly unfortunate” that some politicians received funds from illicit sources, including drug and gambling lords.

Duterte had said he did not have funds to bankroll his presidential bid because he refused donations from people known to be engaged in illegal gambling. This prompted his campaign team to call on supporters to make their own campaign materials in support of the mayor. Nico Alconaba, Inquirer Mindanao