The Philippine National Police Headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City on Tuesday, June 15, 2021. Niño Jesus Orbeta/Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) said Monday that police officers have been dismissed or suspended as administrative complaints have been filed against them for allegedly being involved in cockfighting activities, particularly e-sabong or online cockfighting.
Citing records from the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management, the PNP said its ongoing investigation has recorded seven complaints against police personnel linked to e-sabong activities from January 1 to February 21 this year.
It said three complaints involved officers from the Police Regional Office 4A while one is from the Regional Office in Bicol, one from Eastern Visayas, one from the Highway Patrol Group (HPG), and another one from Metro Manila.
According to PNP chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos, the officers from Region 4A are now facing an administrative complaint of acts unbecoming of a police officer while the rest were slapped with administrative complaints of grave misconduct.
The officer from Eastern Visayas that the PNP identified as Police Staff Sergeant Jeffrey Cabelin was also suspended for 60 days, according to Carlos.
Carlos also said HPG officer, Staff Sergeant Hason Togana Jr., was also penalized with a 6-month suspension while Police Corporal Moises Yango was dismissed from the PNP service.
“This should serve as a lesson to their fellow police officers. There is no room for illegal gambling to thrive in the organization,” Carlos said in a statement.
“It is unfortunate that we received complaints regarding their involvement in e-sabong, but they must face the consequences of their actions, no matter what their rank is,” he added.
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