Cruz: ‘God’s anointed' powerless in stopping jueteng

Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz on Tuesday questioned Malacaňang’s sincerity in eradicating jueteng operations following the comeback of the illegal numbers game in many parts of the country. “Why is God's so-called anointed powerless to stop the return of jueteng to the countryside?" he said in his web log. He said the government, with all its power over police and military might, has yet to truly stop the jueteng operations. “Even the forceful CPR (calibrated preemptive response) and the fearful 1017 were put in place. But jueteng is more powerful," Cruz said He noted despite the "token arrests here and there and far between," inquiries in the Senate and coverage of the tri-media, the return of jueteng is evident even under the guise of EZ-2, small-town lottery (STL) or plain bookies. “…Jueteng continues to make a fast comeback in Luzon and the Visayas," he said. He added, "jueteng is once again extending its exploitative and deceptive tentacles in the country. Those who should know, act ignorant. Those who should see, pretend to be blind." He further said the three reasons the illegal numbers game continues to flourish were Malacañang is not serious in eradicating it; jueteng lords remain untouchable; and jueteng brings in illegal millions for illegal payoffs for legal purposes. "Why is the present administration not really serious about doing away with jueteng? Why are the jueteng lords still merrily plying their trade? Why are illegal millions made and given out as payolas?" he asked. President Arroyo earlier ordered jueteng task-force czar, Mayor Edward Hagedorn of Puerto Princesa, to eradicate jueteng until September 15. The government declared the country jueteng-free before September ended based on the reports of the Philippine National Police.-GMANews.TV