New PNP chief denies links to jueteng operators

Newly appointed Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Deputy Director General Raul Bacalzo on Wednesday denied accusations that he received money from operators of the illegal numbers game jueteng. Bacalzo said his track record will show that he has no connections with jueteng operators from the provinces, since he has been working for directorial jobs in the police headquarters in Camp Crame in Quezon City for the past nine years. "I just do not know what these accusations are all about. Even if you trace my assignments, I have been here in Camp Crame for almost nine years after my stint way back in 2001 as provincial director of Nueva Ecija," he told reporters. Bacalzo even said he is "willing to be investigated" if details on his alleged links to jueteng operators can be established. "Let us just be fair and let’s see the facts first. Let’s see the background of the evidence, and I will answer in the proper forum," said Bacalzo, who is also a lawyer. Bacalzo took over the top PNP post from Director General Jesus Verzosa during Tuesday's turnover ceremonies at Camp Crame. (See: Verzosa steps down as PNP chief; Bacalzo takes over) Yet even before Bacalzo's appointment as PNP chief, a group of junior police officers had accused him of being involved in illegal gambling and "receiving protection money from jueteng operators." Aside from this, the group, which called itself the "Junior Officers of the PNP," also accused Bacalzo of involvement in illegal drugs operations and failure to curb media killings as head of Task Force Usig. In the face of such accusations, Bacalzo assured the government of his full cooperation in efforts to curb the illegal numbers game. (See: New PNP chief vows full support in anti-jueteng drive) Before assuming the top PNP post, Bacalzo was director for Investigation and Detective Management in 2008. He also served as head of the Security Agencies and Guards Supervision Division in 2003, and then worked as Secretary to the Directorial Staff until 2006. — with Andreo Calonzo/RSJ/KBK, GMANews.TV