PNP to target cops engaged in ‘e-sabong’
PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief General Dionardo B. Carlos yesterday ordered a crackdown on police personnel involved in “e-sabong” amid growing complaints about some cops who have been neglecting their duties or have been involved in illegal activities due to addiction to the game.
According to the top cop, he has ordered concrete steps to investigate their personnel who are allegedly involved in illicit activities, particularly e-sabong or the online cockfighting game and gambling. He said that any police personnel who will be caught engaged in e-sabong will be sanctioned.
Records from the PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management showed there have been at least seven complaints involving police personnel reportedly linked to e-sabong activities from January 1 to last February 21 alone.
Three of the policemen are assigned at the Police Regional Office 4-A (PRO4-A) in the Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) region; and one each from the PRO5 in Bicol region; PRO8 in Eastern Visayas, PNP Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG), and National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).
Gen. Carlos said that the three PRO4-A personnel are now facing an administrative complaint of “conduct unbecoming of a police officer” for failing to comply with a lawful order of a superior officer.
It also refers to an act or behavior of a police officer, irrespective of rank, done in his official or private capacity which dishonors or disgraces himself and his character and standing as a police officer and shows his worthiness to remain in the police service.
The rest were administratively charged for grave misconduct.
One of them identified as Police Staff Sergeant Jeffrey Cabelin of PRO8 was ordered suspended for 60 days while SSgt. Hason Togana Jr. of the PNP-HPG was penalized with a 6 months suspension.
