Govt orders crackdown on illegal jai alai betting stations

The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) have ordered law enforcement bodies to crack down on illegal jai alai betting and gaming stations located outside the Cagayan Freeport Zone, where Meridien Vista Gaming Corporation (MVGC) is allowed to hold jai alai operations. Only Meridien has been given a license and franchise by the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) to operate jail alai fronton within the Cagayan Freeport Zone. "The Philippine National Police and other law enforcement agencies of the government are directed to proceed with the search and seizure of off-fronton betting stations," said a joint memorandum order issued last June 27 by Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo. Off-fronton betting stations are those located outside the Cagayan Freeport Zone and are considered illegal. Citing an earlier decision of the Aparri Regional Trial Court, the DOJ and the DILG said that off-fronton betting and gaming stations could operate "only if it is allowed by law." However, the government did not find any law authorizing off-fronton jai alai activities. In fact, Section 5 of Republic Act 954 prohibits and criminalizes the operation of off-fronton jai alai betting stations. "Meridien can only set up its jai alai betting/gaming stations within the premises of the place, enclosure, or fronton where the basque pelota game is held, i.e., inside its jai alai fronton located within the Cagayan Freeport Zne, and nowehere else outside said fronton, in accordance with the terms and conditions of its CEZA license....," the joint memorandum order stated. The DOJ and DILG then ordered law enforcement bodies to search and seize illegal jai alai betting and gaming stations. The two agencies also ordered public prosecutors to "conduct expeditiously the necessary inquest or preliminary investigation proceedings against those arrested for violation of Section 5 of RA 954, and to provide the necessary support to law enforcement officials and personnel in the prosecution of operators and maintainters of betting stations," the order added. The cases that Meridian will file against law enforcers and local executives in connection with the seizure of off-fronton jai alai stations will be considered harassment suits, the order added. Jai alai was banned in the Philippines in 1986 amid allegations of game-fixing, but was revived in 2008. The game originates from Spain's Basque country and was introduced in the Philippines over 100 years back. — Sophia Dedace/KBK, GMA News