PNP stands by Tondo e-sabong bust amid allegations of anomalies

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday defended the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group’s (CIDG) bust of an alleged online cockfighting (e-sabong) operation at the Coliseo de Manila in Tondo last March amid allegations of anomalies.

“This is a legal operation and abides by the proper processes,” PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño said in Filipino in a briefing with reporters in Camp Crame.

“If there are any misgivings about the said operation, the Philippine National Police is ready to accept all complaints, and we will answer them at the proper forum,” he added.

READ: Alleged 24-hour e-sabong op busted Tondo coliseum; over 170 nabbed

The CIDG operation in question took place on March 24, during an entrapment against an alleged e-sabong operation, resulting in the arrest of 28 purported operators and 136 bettors.

Coliseo de Manila lawyer Carl Jon Mucho filed an administrative complaint before the National Police Commission (Napolcom) against CIDG National Capital Region chief Col. John Guiagui and nine other police officers two weeks ago.

The complaint urged Napolcom to hold the officers accountable after P40,000 in cash and 22 gamefowl allegedly went missing following the CIDG operation.

Security footage shared by Mucho purportedly showed a CIDG operative taking cash during the entrapment operation.

“This was not the operative taking money but taking evidence, his ticket to show that he had entered the e-sabong operation. This was what we call the bet ticket that he recovered since he was an operative,” Tuaño explained in Filipino.

“When he got the bet ticket, he gave a signal to his colleagues that the act had been consummated. This is what we call the pre-arranged signal to start their operation,” he added.

The PNP spokesperson also said the allegations against the implicated CIDG personnel were “harassment” and that they have yet to receive a copy of the administrative complaint against them.

“We’re also ready to file a case in connection with malicious insinuations,” Tuaño said in Filipino.

Asked for comment, Mucho told the Inquirer in a text, “The averments in these filings are supported by witness statements made under oath, documentary evidence, and CCTV (closed-circuit television) footage.”

“Coliseo is only after justice and liability and nothing more,” he added.

President Rodrigo Duterte banned e-sabong operations in May 2022, citing their social costs to Filipinos. /mcm