PNP Press Statement 2005

PRESS STATEMENT OF THE PNP SPOKESMAN POLICE CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT LEOPOLDO N BATAOIL

The Chief PNP, Director General Arturo C Lomibao extends his congratulations to all PNP field unit commanders especially in the Luzon area for consistently sustaining the campaign against illegal gambling activities particularly jueteng.

As of today, the campaign to totally eradicate jueteng continues to gain ground. During the first six months of this year, we conducted 8,469 anti-illegal gambling operations that resulted in the arrest of 8,294 persons including 29 alleged financiers, and the confiscation of P5.6-million in gambling bets. We also filed 3,382 cases in court against the arrested violators.

The One Strike Policy of the PNP on police commanders who will fall short of expectation on the anti-illegal gambling drive has likewise contributed to the overall success of the campaign.

Since the implementation of the One Strike Policy early this year, a total of 13 PNP officials had been relieved from post. Among those relieved were the Provincial Directors of Sorsogon and Davao Oriental.

Others relieved were the Chiefs of Police of Tiwi, Albay; Tinambac and Bato in Camarines Sur; Sorsogon City; Meycauayan, Bulacan; Mabalacat, Pampanga; Placer and Cataingan, Masbate; Talavera, Nueva Ecija; Pagbilao, Quezon; and Padre Garcia, Batangas.

The PNP Anti-Illegal Gambling Special Operations Task Force is continuously monitoring several areas where jueteng activities had been previously reported. We are confident that we shall be able to further sustain this campaign against illegal gambling with the cooperation of all sectors.

We urge the public to continue helping us monitor any resurgence of illegal gambling activities in the their areas.