AMID a number of incidents in which some policemen mired in debt after being addicted to E-Sabong have resorted to robbery-holdups, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, General Dionardo B. Carlos called on his men anew to shun all forms of illegal gambling activities and online cockfighting games.

In a statement, the top cop reminded members of the 225,000-strong police force to stay away from this vice which has destroyed the lives of countless Filipinos including some policemen and their families.

The top cop issued the reminder in the light of the ongoing investigation into the case of 31 missing ‘sabungeros’ in Manila, Bulacan and Quezon as well as the arrest of a number of policemen found to be addicted to ‘online sabong’ and involved in robbery-holdup incidents.

“This doesn’t give a good impression in their conduct as law enforcers. The bottomline is we discourage our personnel from engaging in gambling activities as this does not augur well with their professional and personal values,” Gen. Carlos said.

The PNP chief added that he dislikes receiving reports of police officers spending time betting in cockfights or e-sabong hubs instead of focusing on their work.

“Definitely, we will monitor them. They are not above the law. Once caught, the PNP won’t hesistate arresting those involved in this illicit activity,” he added.

Since last year, three policemen who were arrested and jailed for robbery-holdup have turned out to be addicted to ‘online sabong’ and as a result, have been mired in debt forcing them to resort to criminal activities to earn money.

One of them identified as Patrolman Glenn Angoluan of the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company of the Laguna Police Provincial Office was arrested for robbing a gasoline station in Barangay Santiago in Sto. Tomas City, Batangas a few weeks ago.

Laguna police director, Colonel Rogarth Campo said the suspect confessed to have robbed a number of convenience stores in Laguna and Sto. Tomas City when arrested following a tip from a concerned citizen.

The 2nd identified as Corporal Leonell Maranan of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion of the Police Regional Office 4-B was arrested for trying to rob a hardware store in Gloria, Oriental Mindoro last February 18, said PRO4-B director, Brigadier Gen. Sydney S. Hernia.

Hernia said the suspect was caught by local barangay security officers in the act of trying to destroy the door knob of the hardware store with a pair of pliers, a screwdriver and a hammer. The cop was stripped of his PNP-issued caliber 9mm pistol shortly after his arrest.

The 3rd identified as Corporal Moises Yango of the Quezon City Police District was arrested for robbing a money remittance center in San Miguel, Bulacan last May. Local policemen intercepted the cop who was escaping on board a motorcycle and fitted the description of the robber.

The suspect was accused of having robbed a number of targets in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija and Bulacan province.

He yielded a hand grenade, 9mm pistol and P5,000 in cash which was believed to be part of his loot.

All three policemen are facing criminal and administrative charges.

In the wake of these incidents, Gen. Carlos ordered an intensified campaign against all forms of illegal gambling particularly now that there is a proliferation of off cock betting stations in the country.

He said the public may report thru https:///e-sumbong.pnp.gov.ph the presence of illegal cockfighting activities taking place in their communities.

Gen. Carlos said that police will investigate, validate and take appropriate actions regarding the complaint.

Presidential Decree 1602 imposes stiffer penalties for those violating anti-gambling laws in a bid to get rid of this social menace more effectively.

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has also slapped administrative penalties to operators who shall fail to comply with set standards and requirements for e-sabong.

Gen. Carlos said police personnel who would violate his directive will find themselves being investigated by the PNP Internal Affairs Service.

Although their cases are still being investigated by a PNP Special Investigation Task Group, former PNP chief-turned Senator Ronald ‘Bato’ M. dela Rosa had said last week that it is most likely that the missing men are already dead.

“The reality is that most likely these people are already dead if they’ve been missing for that long,” Dela Rosa said.

Police had said they already have some clues regarding the perpettrators although they still have no direct evidence that will lead to the filing of criminal charges against their suspects.

Sen. Lacson said they would again ask businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang to attend the next hearing on March 3 after two witnesses accused Ang of involvement in the case.

Ang owns Lucky 8 Star Quest Inc., the only accredited off-cockpit betting station for e-sabong.

Many of the missing persons were described as game fowl handlers, aides, helpers and vehicle drivers who were suspected of being “manyonyope,” or game fixers, Sen. dela Rosa said.

The missing persons in the six cases reportedly went to three arenas operated by Lucky 8 Star Quest, namely Manila Arena in Sta. Ana, and those in Lipa City, Batangas and Santa Cruz, Laguna.

Last week, the PNP decried an apparent attempt to sabotage their ongoing investigation into the case of 31 missing’ sabungeros’ following social media reports that some of the missing persons were killed inside their vehicles n Tanay, Rizal.

However, an investigation showed the pictures were that of the nine victims of a shooting incident in Guindulungan, Maguindanao last February 12 which were made to appear to be that of the missing cockfight afficionados.

PNP Public Information Office chief, Brigadier Gen. Roderick Agustus B. Alba said Gen. Carlos has ordered their Anti-Cybercrime Group to trace the source of the disinformation attempt to muddle the ongoing investigation into the case of the missing ‘sabungeros.’

“The apparent attempt to derail the investigation was uncovered in a social media post showing images of PNP SOCO personnel conducting crime scene investigation on several bodies,” said the PNP-PIO chief.

According to Brig. Gen. Alba, the same post circulating on social media claimed the bodies were that of missing ‘sabungeros’ allegedly found in Tanay, Rizal.

However, a closer analysis of the images proved the pictures were taken during the investigation of an ambush incident in Guindulungan, Maguindanao last February 12, 2022 where nine persons died and three were hurt, he said.

“The PNP deplores this act of disinformation that not only adds to the agony of the families of the missing persons but also serves to mislead police investigators who are focused on finding out the truth behind the case of the missing cockfight gamers,” he stressed.

“The author of this disinformation will himself be investigated for his actions and possible link to the case of the missing persons,” Alba added.

Gen. Carlos said the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has scored some significant breakthroughs in its ongoing probe into the case of missing ‘sabungeros’ in the country, the number having increased to 31 after two more were added to those who mysteriously disappeared in Laguna.

The top cop likewise expressed optimism that a major breakthrough in the investigation is forthcoming after a significant headway was achieved recently in the investigation.

According to him, the Special Investigation Task Group confirmed it is now investigating 31 missing person cases with the additional two identified following sworn statements of relatives of the victims and other cockfighting afficionados who participated in a derby in Sta. Cruz, Laguna on May 11, 2021.

The CIDG said that based on the revelations, there were two groups of cockfighting aficionados from Bulacan who participated in the event.

The 1st group went to the arena on May 10, 2021 while the 2nd group arrived the following day. Officials said they have found out from witnesses’ accounts that when the 1st group was about to leave the arena, the 2nd group borrowed their gaffer or ‘mananari’ known to them only as alias ‘Nerio’ to assist them in the cockfight.

The other missing person known known as alias “Buddy” was also recruited by the same 2ndgroup before he also went missing that day, said the PNP-CIDG chief.

The PNP-CIDG is asking the help of different banks to find out clues including CCTV footages of unidentified persons who made a number of ATM cash withdrawals using the ATM cards of some of the missing persons

The new leads into the case came following proposals for the PNP to launch a ‘reward system’ for informants amid the ongoing investigation into the cases of 26 missing ‘sabungeros’ and the deadly attacks on a number of Bureau of Customs personnel since last year.

Officials said the reward system for witnesses would really help in coming up with leads that would lead to the solution of unsolved cases just like that of the missing cockfight afficionados and the attacks on the BoC personnel which have so far left two dead and two injured. Two other Customs officers were also targeted by grenade attacks.