DAET, Camarines Norte -– With some local officials turning a blind eye on the rampant operation of jueteng, Camarines Norte Congresswoman Liwayway Vnzons-Chato has declared war against the illegal numbers game operators.

        On July 3l, 2007, DILG Sec. Ronaldo Puno and PNP Chief P/Gen. Oscar Calderon handcarried a letter of the congresswoman to Governor Jesus “Atoy” Typoco Jr. and P/Sr. Supt. Noel Constantino, PNP provincial director, asking them to implement the one-strike policy of the PNP against jueteng operations.

        Chato’s dismay came on the heels of allege inaction by the two officials even when heavy betting takes place three times a day in the municipalities of Talisay, Labo, and Vinzons.

        Daet is believed to be the jueteng capital of the province where betting is openly done in the marketplace even though Daet Mayor Tito Sarion, Vice Mayor Serafin Raymundo, and Congresswoman Chato were in the same opposition group.

        Chato, who was once suspected of receiving jueteng payola due to her silence in the illegal numbers game issue, asked Bishop Gilbert Garcera and the religious sectors to join her campaign against jueteng.