Negros board member faces e-sabong probe

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Negros Occidental Third District Board Member Andrew Montelibano is under police investigation after he was reportedly seen near an alleged multimillion-peso e-sabong operation uncovered on a five-hectare property in Barangay Alicante, E.B. Magalona, Negros Occidental, on Wednesday.

Police Brig. Gen. Romano Cardiño, director of the Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region, said during a Thursday press briefing that authorities discovered the alleged illegal online cockfighting operation while serving an arrest warrant against a regional most wanted suspect.

“What began as a manhunt operation resulted in the discovery of another illegal activity that undermines peace and order in our communities,” Cardiño said.

Cardiño said the alleged operators used the aliases “Kim,” “Eric,” and “Cano,” whose true identities are still being verified by investigators.

He said the individuals were allegedly linked to Montelibano, although police could not establish the board member’s direct involvement without evidence confirming his connection to, or knowledge of, the operation.

Cardiño said Montelibano has been identified as a person of interest and will be invited to explain his presence at the site.

“He (Montelibano) has to explain why he was there because he was sighted in the area,” he added.

“He was not arrested but it so happened that during the actual operation, someone introduced himself as Board Member Montelibano. The focus of the team was to arrest the wanted person,” the PRO-NIR director said.

Police are also verifying reports linking Montelibano to the property where the alleged operation was conducted.

Cardiño said investigators are validating the ownership of the property through the Municipal Assessor’s Office and will determine whether the venue had been rented.

He stressed that any charges would depend on the evidence gathered and would follow due process.

Cardiño assured the public that the regional police office would pursue the investigation without being influenced by position, affiliation, or status.

“Let me be clear, this report is subject to impartial and evidence-based probe. No conclusions will be drawn and no liability will be attributed beyond supported evidence,” he said.

Authorities are also looking into the possible involvement of other individuals, although Cardiño said no other politicians have been implicated so far.

He assured the public that there would be no whitewash in the investigation.

Cardiño said PRO-NIR remains committed to due process and the fair administration of justice, adding that its responsibility is to enforce the law fairly, impartially, and without fear or favor.

“Rest assured that the Philippine National Police (PNP) is doing its best, securing all necessary evidence including forensic data of computers to ensure that all evidence gathered if this could point to someone even if he is in politics or men in uniform, we will file the necessary charges,” he said.

Police continue to search for “Ronel,” the target of the original manhunt, who is wanted for murder and frustrated murder and was reportedly hiding inside the farm.

Four individuals identified only as “JG,” 40; “FD,” 38; “RL,” 36; and “EC,” 29, were arrested after they were allegedly caught participating in illegal online sabong betting and failed to present permits authorizing the activity.

Other persons on the property managed to escape.

Seized during the operation were 142 live fighting cocks, 106 dead fighting cocks, 156 gaffs, two camera stands, and two television monitors believed to have been used in the online gambling operation.

Based on an initial ocular inspection, authorities believe the operation may have been running for years, citing a well-organized studio with LED walls and computers.

Cardiño said the operation appeared extensive and may have generated substantial income.

He said the remote location may have helped the operation avoid detection.

The operation was jointly carried out by the Regional Special Operations Group, E.B. Magalona Municipal Police Station, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-NIR, Regional Mobile Force Battalion-NIR, Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit-NIR, and the 1st Negros Occidental Provincial Mobile Force Company.

Police are preparing charges for violations of Presidential Decree No. 1602, as amended by Republic Act No. 9287, or the law against illegal gambling, in relation to Republic Act No. 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

The suspects are detained at the E.B. Magalona Municipal Police Station as the investigation continues.

“It also reminds us that while pursuing one criminal offender, law enforcement must always remain alert to other violations of laws that may be uncovered during the unlawful execution of a police operation,” Cardiño said.

Cardiño commended the operating units for the successful operation and said PRO-NIR would intensify intelligence-driven efforts against illegal gambling across the region.

“Our work does not end here with the arrest. This is a stern warning to those who plan and currently operate e-sabong, the PNP is continuing our intelligence build-up and monitoring pursuant to the guidance of the national PNP, and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) against illegal gambling activities,” he said.

The municipal government of E.B. Magalona said in a statement that it was entrusting the matter to competent authorities.

“Let an investigation take its course,” the local government said.

The municipal government said it would respect the outcome of the investigation and expressed support for efforts in the interest of public welfare and safety.

In April, the CIDG also dismantled an alleged illegal online cockfighting operation and arrested 30 people on a private property in Barangay Concepcion, Talisay City.

The Talisay operation led to a policeman being tagged as an alleged protector, prompting a more intensive investigation.

Cardiño said investigators are checking whether the E.B. Magalona operation is connected to the Talisay operation.

He said the investigation would also determine why local police were unaware of the alleged operation’s existence.

“They were clueless, the police chief admitted, because the area was very remote and isolated,” he added.

In June, the police chief of Sibulan, Negros Oriental, was relieved from his post under the strict implementation of the One Strike Policy against illegal gambling.

Under the One Strike Policy, any positive operation conducted by National Operational Support Units or the RSOG against illegal gambling, online or e-sabong activities, and smuggled cigarettes may warrant the relief of the concerned police chief, without prejudice to further investigation and the filing of appropriate administrative cases, if warranted.

In August 2025, Montelibano, chair of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Games and Amusement, authored an ordinance imposing a total ban on any form of machine betting in cockfighting.

The ordinance allowed only traditional betting and mandated the implementation of Presidential Decree No. 449, or the Cockfighting Law of 1974, which regulates the cockfighting industry in the country.

Montelibano has yet to issue a statement on the matter.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued Executive Order No. 9 in December 2022, directing the continued suspension of e-sabong operations nationwide.