CIDG-Bacolod chief tagged in e-sabong operations

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Police Maj. Edgar Tonico Jr., chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Bacolod, was identified as an alleged protector of electronic cockfighting, or e-sabong, operations on Negros Island.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla made the announcement during a press briefing Monday, three days after he visited Negros Occidental with Police Gen. Melencio Nartatez Jr., PNP chief, to check on recent operations against the PHP 800 million cigarette smuggling operation in Bacolod City and Bago City, and the dismantling of e-sabong operations in Talisay City.

“Siya (Tonico) ang protector. Siya ang nanliligaw sa mga pulis kung may follow operations na ginagawa. Hindi mo mahahalata kasi ang ginawa pang background ay Vietnamese ang nakasulat—pinapalabas nila na out of the country ang operations pero dito talaga sa Pilipinas—sa Talisay City ginagawa ang studio para sa e-sabong,” Remulla said.

Remulla said authorities have not established a direct link between the e-sabong operations in the province and businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang, but he noted that Tonico and a certain Don Robert were reportedly working under Ang.

“They were known cohorts of Atong Ang in the height of the e-sabong between 2000 and 2022,” he added.

Ang is wanted for his alleged link to the case of the missing sabungeros.

Remulla said authorities already had information on Tonico’s alleged link to the e-sabong operations, prompting them to tap CIDG-Cebu and the CIDG main office to lead the April 23 operation in Talisay City.

During the operation, authorities arrested 30 people, including a minor, at a rented private property in Barangay Concepcion, where a studio for e-sabong was discovered.

Only three of those arrested were from Talisay City, while the rest were from Luzon.

Remulla said the operation was carried out after reports of missing fighting cocks in the past four months.

“Nangyari ang investigation dahil sa tuloy-tuloy na nakawan ng fighting cocks in Negros Island Region (NIR), iyon pala kinukuha at binibenta sa cockpit ng illegal at doon din ginagawa ang laban,” he added.

Authorities recovered at least 280 fighting cocks during the operation.

Remulla said initial information showed that bets on both sides reached PHP 5 million and that the operators would have “maybe” 50 fights a day broadcast live nationwide.

“Malaking operation ito. Small things led to big things,” he added.

Remulla said Tonico is under preventive custody at the regional headquarters and is subject to case buildup over his alleged participation in e-sabong operations.

Tonico was previously assigned to the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office and CIDG-Aklan before his assignment to CIDG-Bacolod last year.

He has yet to comment or release a statement on the allegations.

Remulla said he believes the e-sabong operations and the multimillion-peso illegal tobacco manufacturing operation discovered in Bago City were connected.

“Ang kumplikado. Nabuwag na ang grupo at hinahanap ngayon si alias Don Robert and alias Macmac na may hawak ng operations,” Remulla said.

He added that the CIDG is conducting follow-up operations.

E-sabong operations remain suspended nationwide under Executive Order No. 9, which directed the continued suspension of all electronic cockfighting operations, including auxiliary operations. (Lawphil)

Authorities earlier said the suspects arrested in the Talisay City raid would face complaints for alleged violation of Presidential Decree No. 1602, or the illegal gambling law, in relation to Republic Act No. 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

On April 21, 10 Chinese nationals and four Filipinos were arrested by the CIDG after authorities dismantled a reported large-scale illegal cigarette manufacturing and distribution network in the province.

Aside from violations of Presidential Decree No. 1481, which governs and regulates trading in locally grown Virginia leaf tobacco, and economic sabotage, authorities are also probing possible elements of forced labor and human trafficking.

Authorities earlier said Filipino workers had allegedly been recruited and promised a daily wage of PHP 500, but some workers were reportedly not paid as agreed and were restricted from leaving the premises.