Councilor fights “hataw”
THE heat is on jueteng and the illegal numbers game has been stopped, albeit temporarily in all likelihood, but there is another form of illegal gambling that is alive and thriving in Dagupan City: The “Hataw”.
Hataw, known as ameneng in Pangasinan, is played on a video game machine, most of which have been operating in locations near schools and thus easily accessible to children.
Alarmed by the proliferation of these machines, Councilor Librada Reyna has proposed four resolutions before the Sangguniang Panlungsod, all seeking to curb the menace.
“The bad thing is that these illegal video gambling machines called hataw are positioned or installed near schools as if they are really meant for the school kids,” Reyna said.
Reyna’s resolutions are a follow through to the privilege speech of her colleague, Councilor Luis Samson Jr. who, a few weeks ago, exposed the proliferation of not only jueteng but other forms of illegal gambling in the city.
RESOLUTIONS
The first resolution urges the public to provide information to the Philippine National Police, the Punong Barangay and village officials that could lead to the apprehension of operators of “hataw” and other video gambling machines.
The resolution also reminds the public that the law grants them a reward for any information that could lead to the apprehension of the perpetrators.
Another resolution urges the police, barangay chairmen and other officials similarly situated to “apprehend without mercy, fear or guilt the operators of hataw and video gambling machines and other forms of illegal gambling in the city”.
The third resolution strongly condemns the proliferation of all forms of illegal gambling in the city.
The fourth resolution asks the Department of Education to strengthen the Parents-Teachers Association in each school so that it can help in the campaign against all forms of illegal gambling in the city.
All the resolutions have been referred by Assistant Majority Floor Leader Karlos Reyna to the committee on women and children’s welfare which he heads and the peace and order committee headed by Samson.
POLICE ACTION
The resolutions’ proponent said she has little faith that the police are sincere in weeding out the problem as the OIC chief of police, Superintendent Romeo Caramat Jr., has yet to act on the issue.
Previously, the police seized a few video gambling machines that were old and not operational and destroyed these in public to show that they are acting on the matter.
But a few days later, the video games were back in operation.
A barangay kagawad, who appears to be “untouchable”, is allegedly behind the operations of these video gambling machines in Dagupan.
Reyna said the SP will invite the chief of police to give a report on their operations against hataw and to give its recommendation on what can be done to stop it for good.—LM
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