MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte said he might let operations of illegal numbers game “jueteng” untouched for now.

The President said if he “cannot replace” jueteng, he will let it be for now.

“Ngayon, kung wala akong pampalit sa jueteng, ano ang gawin ko?” Duterte said in a speech in Davao City last Friday.

“At least umiikot ‘yung pera. ‘Yung iba gutom pero ‘yung iba naman kumakain and there’s a commercial activity there… Nandyan na ‘yan eh. Ang mga jueteng lords are lording it over even sa lotto. Sinasakyan nila.”

The President made this statement even though he had issued an executive order last year mobilizing government agencies against illegal gambling.

• Duterte targets illegal gambling to boost corruption fight

Last year, self-confessed Davao Death Squad leader Arturo Lascañas claimed Duterte tolerated the conduct of illegal numbers game "Last Two" during his stint as Davao City mayor.

Duterte was mayor of the southern city for over 2 decades.

• Duterte tolerated illegal numbers game in Davao: ex-cop