PNP to go full blast vs jueteng after May polls

MANILA, Philippines - With election-related tasks as its top priority at the moment, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has vowed to go full blast in the campaign against jueteng and other illegal gambling after the midterm polls in May.

PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima admitted during a recent visit to The STAR that they could not conduct raids in some areas where jueteng thrives because the operators are using the small town lottery (STL) as front for their illegal operations.

“After the elections, we will focus our campaign against illegal gambling. By that time, the licenses and contracts of STL operators would have expired,” Purisima said.

After the STL licenses have expired, Purisima said police operatives can conduct anti-jueteng raids without the fear of being slapped with criminal charges.

The PNP chief deplored an existing National Police Commission (Napolcom) resolution preventing policemen from raiding STL outlets without permission from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and the concerned STL operator.

Purisima said the resolution was approved in 2008.

He, however, clarified that if there will be new government policies on illegal gambling, the PNP will implement them.