Cop in Oton cockfight yields service gun but fails to report to work

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Police Corporal Virgilio Rojo, Jr., the policeman caught in a video trying to flee arrest following an illegal cockfight raid, has turned in his service firearm.

Colonel Uldarico Garbanzos, Iloilo City police director, said Rojo yielded his government issued firearm afternoon of July 14, 2021.

But the controversial police officer did not show up at their office to personally and formally hand in his gun.

He allegedly asked a colleague to retrieve the gun near the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) headquarters at Camp Plagata in Gen. Luna Street, City Proper district.

Prior to that, Garbanzos ordered Rojo to turn over his firearm while the pre-charge investigation against him is being conducted.

Rojo allegedly intimated to his friend that he feared for his life, but he did not elaborate.

Just the same, Garbanzos said Rojo will have to face the consequences of his presence in the illegal cockfighting.

The 37-year-old Rojo, an ICPO officer detailed to the General Services Office (GSO), was caught on video escaping arrest after he and four other men were apprehended for taking part in an illegal cockfight at Barangay Cagbang, Oton, Iloilo around 1:30 p.m. of July 10, 2021.

He was subsequently apprehended, jailed, and slapped with criminal charges despite telling fellow officers he was a “ka-tropa” or colleague in the PNP.

He was released from detention Monday after posting a P5,000 cash bond.

Rojo should have reported to work on Tuesday.

“But until now (Thursday), he has not yet reported to office,” Garbanzos said.

The ICPO would be sending him a return-to-work notice. If he fails to report to work, another return-to-work order would be sent.

“If we send three notices and he will still fail to report to work, we would declare him AWOL (absent without official leave),” Garbanzos said.

It was gathered that Rojo had been assigned at the Iloilo City Police Station 6 before he was transferred to the Iloilo City Mobile Force Company.

“Damo ko nabatian nga indi manami nga mga report sa iya, amo na nga gin halin ko sya sa GSO,” Garbanzos said.

But the city’s top cop declined to go into details.

He also did not confirm reports that Rojo was allegedly hooked on gambling.