Police Questioned in Slots Increase

Cordillera Police Regional Director Raul Gonzales, Baguio Police Director Moises Guevarra, and the Intelligence Chief of the Baguio police have been called on to testify in front of the Baguio City Council to explain the proliferation of slots in Baguio. The three men will be questioned regarding the increase of slots and illegal gambling activities and how it has occurred.

The council has found that an inordinate number of slots and gambling, particularly jueteng, have increased over the past few years, even though there have been national edicts calling for the stoppage of gambling. Councilor Rocky Thomas Balisong was the first to voice concern, and suggested that the men come in to speak about it.

Balisong said that it was well known that jueteng, slots, and monte were not only illegal, but gaining in popularity among residents. He said that they have had raids that showed slots and bingo machines being seized and destroyed in the public arena, but that has not stopped them from bringing in the machines.

Parents are concerned about the spreading of these slots and other gambling machines, as their children are young but many are already addicted to them. He then said that jueteng was out in the open as many of those responsible for collecting the bets openly conduct business in the city.

He went on to say that with the slots, etc. still existing, he and many others are now questioning the effectiveness of their police department. With them being so common, perhaps other methods are needed to remove them from the public arena.



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