Nueva Ecija, the next Vatican of ‘Jueteng’ after Pampanga

Jueteng bet collector at Cabanatuan City, Public Market.
(Photo Courtesy: Ronald Leander, GMA 7) 

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija, August 30, 2011-A reliable source of the Catholic Media Network revealed that this province could be the next “Vatican” of jueteng after Pampanga.

The illegal numbers “Jueteng” is now operating in Nueva Ecija most particularly in this city where betting is being done right in the heart of the central business district and in front of the provincial headquarters of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The man preparing his "papelitos" for jueteng operation.
(Ronald Leander, GMA 7)

In this city, jueteng bet-takers ply their trade at the public market with “papelitos” on full display of the public. When asked what this paraphernalia was for, whether jueteng or STL (small town lottery), the elderly woman replied without batting an eyelash “siyempre po jueteng (jueteng of course).”

Sources furthered that among the bettors in the illegal numbers game are policemen themselves who could not resist the temptation of placing their bets for a chance at hitting the winning numbers.

The man in white shirt checking the numbers who won in
the illegal number game. (Ronald Leander, GMA7)

One source said at the rate jueteng operations have spread rapidly in the province, Nueva Ecija could follow the footsteps of Pampanga province which was once described by former Senator Aquilino Pimentel as the “Vatican” of jueteng.

Senior Superintendent Roberto Aliggayu, PNP provincial director, could not be contacted for comment.

STL, which is being run by the CTG Prime Ventures, Inc. of one Henry Lim, is no match to the unabated jueteng operations in many parts of the province. CTGPVI, however, is also suspected of being used by its operator as a cover for jueteng as some of its managers have links to known jueteng lords, including suspected jueteng king Rodolfo “Bong” Pineda.

The jueteng operation at Cabanatuan Public Market.
(Ronald Leander, GMA7)

Reliable sources said jueteng thrives because money streams to the pockets of corrupt police and local officials and even the media. A certain “Argee” is reported to be providing “hush money” or payola to unscrupulous media practitioners not to report the illegal activities.

Armand Galang, president of the Nueva Ecija Press Club, has so far not issued a statement condemning or opposing the illegal number game in the province.

The cubrador of jueteng in Nueva Ecija.
(Ronald Leander, GMA7)

Earlier, retired Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz said STL and jueteng are “close partners” because most of those who have STL franchises are also jueteng financiers.

“STL, therefore, uses also the structure of jueteng operations – from cobrador (collector), cabo (manager), rebisador (bet reviewer), pagador (paymaster) and operator,” said Cruz, chairman of the Krusada ng Bayan laban sa Sugal.

Cruz said a check made by his group showed that when there is STL in an area, the STL bet collectors have two sheets – one for STL and one for jueteng.      

A  PNP officer admitted that STL operators are also into illegal gambling.

The actual jueteng game in Cabanatuan City.
(Ronald Leander, GMA 7)

Chief Superintendent Ford Tuazon, deputy director of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), acknowledged during a hearing of the House committee on games and amusements that they have a hard time implementing STL because jueteng is being conducted under the cover of the STL.

Nueva Ecija Representative Rodolfo Antonino, who was named as one of the beneficiaries of proceeds from CTGPVI, said that jueteng continue operating in the province and in other places because it has a mass base.

“Jueteng can never be stopped by the PNP or any other law enforcement authority because in reality, the betting is something that is entertained by the mass base. In other words, they want it,” he said.

He said the PCSO should instead improve the STL instead of replacing it with the “Loterya ng Bayan.” (Jason de Asis)