Newly installed Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Raul Bacalzo on Friday vehemently denied allegations that he is involved in illegal gambling and other criminal activities as he vowed to implement a “one-strike policy” against police officials found to be in cahoots with operators of the “jueteng” illegal numbers game. “I had been a victim of special attacks by character assassins who have unfairly and baselessly linked my name to the operations of illegal numbers game -- all of which I vehemently and strongly deny,” Bacalzo said in a statement. Bacalzo, who was officially sworn in as the 16th chief of the PNP on Friday, also denounced the release of a “white paper” that purportedly shows his ties with criminal syndicates. The new police chief said his critics only want to ruin his name. To show his seriousness in eradicating jueteng operations across the Philippines, Bacalzo said the PNP will be implementing a “one-strike policy” against jueteng coddlers in the police force. Under the policy, he said police officials in areas where jueteng operations persist will immediately be removed from their posts. He said he also plans to deploy “secret agents” in different areas in the country to uncover cops involved in jueteng operations. Bacalzo also vowed to restore the credibility of the Philippines' police force, which was tainted in the recent Manila hostage tragedy. One way to do this, he said, is for the police to catch major jueteng operators and their protectors. “I am confident that we can still attain the credible status of the PNP,” he said in his speech after his oath-taking ceremony on Friday. A group of junior police officers earlier accused Bacalzo of being a jueteng protector himself. But the new police chief said this could not be possible since he has been assigned to the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City for a long time, making it implausible for him to have links with jueteng operators in the provinces. The Malacanang presidential palace defended Bacalzo, saying he has a spotless record in the PNP. Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda noted the allegations against Bacalzo in recent statements given to the media by jueteng whistleblower Sandra Cam and some junior PNP officers. Lacierda said Malacanang will immediately order an investigation of Bacalzo if Cam can support her allegations, urging her to present evidence to Malacanang. He also said Bacalzo has expressed willingness to undergo an investigation to clear his name. In his statement, Bacalzo denied knowing Cam.“I do now know personally this person Sandra Cam. I have never met her and I have never been assigned anywhere in Bicol,” he said.
