The Philippine National Police (PNP) is keen on strictly implementing a three-strike policy in the campaign against “jueteng” operations rather than create a special task force that would concentrate on stamping out the illegal numbers game.

The three-strike policy means that a police commander will be kicked out of his post if three successful anti-jueteng operations occur in his area of jurisdiction, explained Senior Supt. Agrimero Cruz, Jr., PNP spokesman.

“We don’t need to create special task forces for this. We are confident that we are building leaders on the ground and it is from them that the efforts (to stamp out jueteng) must come from,” said Cruz in an interview in Camp Crame.

“What is important is that there is now a directive from the Chief PNP, Director General Jesus Verzosa, to intensify the operations against all forms of illegal activities including illegal gambling.

That is the marching order from the most junior officers who are serving as chiefs of police up to the level of the regional directors,” he added.

But Cruz admitted that there is no quick-fix solution to end the jueteng operations in the country, saying the conduct of raids is not enough to address the problem.

He explained that for as long as local chief executives and even the people would not cooperate, Cruz said the goal of stamping out “jueteng” operations in the country will remain a dream.

The official stressed that what the new administration needs to end the reign of jueteng operations is a “total approach” wherein law enforcement agencies, local government units and even non-government organizations would join hands against illegal gambling activities.