Viewpoints

By May 4, 2006Archives, Opinion

privileged, promoted, protected

By +Oscar V. Cruz

Like a cat with proverbial nine lives, jueteng in this country keep coming back like a bad dream. Those in power and influence stop it at will for a reason, and at will likewise have it resumed for a purpose. At one time it is eventually all gone. After some time, it is surprisingly slowly but surely back.

Something downright illegal as jueteng cannot have such a special public status in the country if it is not a privileged, promoted and protected illegal activity. Such an enviable distinction could only conferred by public authority itself.

The bigger territorial coverage jueteng has, the higher is its backer. In fact, during the Senate Hearing on the what and why of jueteng, there were sworn testimonies made to the effect that jueteng money was used to make a difference in the 2004 National Elections.

Not far from now is the envisioned 2007 Elections. It is not surprising at all that jueteng is once again back in business. The proclaimed anti-jueteng Czar is simply set aside. The Republic Act 9287 is of no consequence. The PNP and DILG are irrelevant. The jueteng syndicate is again alive and well. The jueteng structure is intact, strong and operational.

This is why there are reports that jueteng is said to be now slowly but surely invading all provinces in Region I and 2, Tarlac, Zambales, Pampanga, Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, Quezon, Camarines Sur. Their ‘bankeros’ and ‘payola coordinators’ are even individually named.

Only individuals who are shameless, callous and the scourge of society could have the gall to be jueteng principals. Those who surreptitiously back them up are even greater liabilities to society. As all of them occupy a special place of dishonor here and now, theirs must also be a distinct level of condemnation hereafter and beyond—irrespective of their belief and value system.

Meantime, the Krusadang Bayan Laban sa Jueteng remains committed to its cause. It has no bullets to fire, neither hoodlums to hire nor resources to waste. But it has the most powerful and lasting weapon at hand: truth!

(http://www.ovc.blogspot.com/)

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