ARCHBISHOP Oscar V. Cruz of the Lingayen-Dagupan archdiocese said Tuesday that jueteng has been making a fast comeback in Luzon and the Visayas.

Cruz, founder of the Krusada ng Bayan Laban sa Jueteng, said under the guise of EZ2, the Bogus STL (Small Town Lottery) and plain bookies, “jueteng is again extending its exploitative and deceptive tentacles in the country”.

The top anti-jueteng crusader in the country, it will be recalled, spawned a Senate investigation on jueteng last year resulting in a nationwide crackdown by the police against the illegal numbers game.

Stressing that jueteng is now making a fast comeback in various parts of the country, Cruz riled: “Those who should know, act ignorant. Those who should see pretend to be blind”.

In Pangasinan, however, jueteng has stopped since some 10 months ago because of the continuing crusade launched by the Pangasinan archbishop against the illegal numbers game.

Local government units are being continuously asked by certain groups to pass laws calling for the operation of STL reportedly under the supervision of the Philippine Sweepstakes Office.

Last year, the provincial board of Pangasinan rejected an application by a supposed Makati-based company to operate STL that name-dropped the PCSO in its desire to obtain a provincial franchise.

Lately, a resolution was filed in the sangguniang bayan of Calasiao, also seeking permission to operate STL in the town.

“Wonder of all wonders, jueteng is on again. It’s victims are the same, the exploiters are the same, the big beneficiaries are the same.” Archbishop Cruz said. (PNA)