Director General Arturo C. Lomibao, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), issued this statement when he was asked to comment on the pronouncement of Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz that "jueteng" is back in many areas in Luzon.

"We do not know where he gets his reports but our sources, who are the directors in the field and our policemen themselves, report otherwise," Lomibao said.

However, the PNP chief said that several "jueteng" operators tried their luck to operate again the illegal numbers game in two towns of Central Luzon, but their attempt was immediately thwarted by authorities.

Saying that the one-strike policy of the PNP stands, he declared that he would not hesitate to immediately order the relief of a police chief if reported jueteng operations in his area are verified.

The PNP had earlier reported a total of 14,000 operations against illegal gambling operations nationwide in the past two years.

Lomibao, and other top officials of the PNP were in town to ensure the security of the members of the First Family, who are here for New Year break.

It was recalled that the PNP stopped the rampant jueteng operations in the different parts of Luzon in the middle part of this year. This came about as a result of reports that some national and local officials as well as law enforcers were the primary protectors of gambling lords.

Lomibao called on concerned groups and individuals to immediately report to his office or the nearest police station the existence of illegal gambling activities in their area.

He said that while he is the PNP chief, he is going to see to it that jueteng and other forms of illegal number games would have no chance of resuming operations.

Last week, Bishop Cruz lambasted the Arroyo administration for what he described as a half-hearted campaign against the alleged resumption of jueteng in most parts of Luzon after an almost three months of lull.

In the Cordillera Region, several gambling lords attempted to resume jueteng operations in Baguio City and the municipalities of Itogon, La Trinidad, Tuba, Buguias, Mankayan, and Tublay in Benguet but their efforts seemed in vain.

Under a new scheme, the lotto results are being used to determine the winning combinations. The gambling operators also use the regular Easy 2 lotto cards to convince their bettors to place their bets.

Lomibao reiterated his warning to police chiefs that their careers would be on the line once they allow the resumption of jueteng operations in their areas.