Bartolome: Jueteng, illegal gambling also on my hit list

New Philippine National Police chief Deputy Director General Nicanor Bartolome on Saturday vowed to go after jueteng and illegal gambling as part of his anti-crime program, even if President Benigno Aquino III missed to mention such task at the turnover of command last Friday. Bartolome said on government-run dzRB radio he understands that his mandate is to go after all violators of the law, including illegal gambling such as jueteng. “[Anything] that has something to do with violations of the law should be included in my function... Hindi lang sa carnapping, hindi lang sa droga, hindi lang street crimes; lahat na violations of the law," he said when asked if he would go after jueteng. On Friday, Bartolome assumed command of the PNP from Director General Raul Bacalzo, who retired early. President Aquino specifically ordered Bartolome to go after carjackers, drug pushers, and street criminals. “The president could not expressly mention jueteng because he already had a lot of important things to say," Bartolome said. For its part, Malacañang said there was no need for President Aquino to specifically mention jueteng since he expects police to go after all violations of the law. “Kasama yan sa nating marching orders ng pangulo. Pulis ang nag-e-enforce ng batas. Kung anong sabi ng batas na hindi naaayon kailangan labanin yan," said deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte, in a separate interview on dzRB. — LBG, GMA News