“Vicious cycle.” This is what the next Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO) Director Oscar D. Albayalde must eradicate.
That’s also the sad picture behind the government’s campaign against jueteng and other forms of illegal gambling in the country. Some corrupt government officials, especially the unscrupulous members of the PNP, have embraced the poison of payola from illegal games. Proof? The police has yet to capture any operator of jueteng and other illegal gambling.
President Duterte’s determination to eliminate corruption is apparent, but he must also focus on the problems posed by illegal gambling. True, he has issued Executive Order (EO) 13 (All-out war versus illegal gambling), but it was not enough to stop the wicked ways of illegal gambling protectors, which encourages corruption when the grease money gets passed around.
According to the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Alexander F. Balutan, the PNP’s campaign is “anemic” as it refrains from using hands of steel to implement EO 13.
However, we cannot solely blame everything to PNP Chief Director General Ronald “Bato” M. dela Rosa because we know how resolute he is in terms of his loyal service and duties. If we are to remember, Bato gave an “ultimatum” against the police commanders who refuse to stop jueteng in their respective areas, or they will be relieved from their posts. The ultimatum was issued a few days after the President signed EO 13 and ordered the PNP to stop jueteng operations and to support and protect the Small Town Lottery (STL) of PCSO. But, sadly, nothing happened.
Bato’s directive to hasten the operation to eradicate jueteng, notwithstanding, the fight against this numbers game will not succeed without the cooperation of his subordinates. There are times when the problem lies not on the leader, but on those who have been in the field for a long time. Corrupt policemen will do what it takes to maintain the crooked system.
This is what Albayalde must eliminate. This is possible if uses an iron hand in dealing with
corrupt police officers. He’s strict, according to the Davao City police, and they didn’t want him to replace Bato. However, the President chose him for this virtue.
Based on reports, Albayalde is listed as one of the corrupt officials in PNP that accepted jueteng payola. The accusation came from an STL player from Metro Manila, but they had no concrete evidence to support their claims against the general.
Balutan is confident that Albayalde will do his best to end jueteng and other illegal games in our country. He is also expected to support and protect the STL of the PCSO.
If Albayalde can give a hundred percent support to STL, the PNP’s share in the free-medical services will increase. In line with this, the earnings that may be allocated on the charity fund will also be much greater, which can be used to help unfortunate Filipinos in need of financial assistance for medicine and hospitalization.
Albayalde (PMA “Sinagtala” Class 1986) is a plebo of Balutan (PMA “Matikas” Class 1983) in the Philippine Military Academy.
Good luck Gen. Albayalde, Sir!
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