Negros Prov’l Official in Hot Water Following Dismantling of e-Sabong Operation

A provincial board member of Negros Occidental is considered a person of interest in the investigation on a massive illegal online cockfighting (electronic sabong) operation in E.B. Magalona, Negros Occidental dismantled by operatives of Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) on Wednesday night.

In a press conference in Bacolod City Thursday, PRO-NIR director Brig. Gen. Romano Cardiño said 3rd District Board Member Andrew Montelibano, who is the alleged owner of the property in Hacienda Pilar, Barangay Alicante, is among those being investigated since he was in the vicinity during the law enforcement operation.

“He is a subject of the investigation because the operatives saw him in the property. ‘Yung kanyang presence dun explain niya ‘yun. Ano’ng ginagawa niya dun,” Cardiño said, also noting that Montelibano chairs the Provincial Board’s games and amusement committee.

The PRO-NIR chief explained that Montelibano was not arrested since the police have “no concrete evidence” of his participation.

“We arrested those in the act of conducting cockfight,” he added.

Montelibano has not yet issued a statement regarding his presence in the said property.

In a report, the PRO-NIR said joint police operatives pursuing a wanted person discovered the e-sabong operation and arrested four individuals involved in the conduct of cockfight.

The subject wanted person with arrest warrants for murder and frustrated murder, however, evaded arrest.

Operatives chanced upon the ongoing e-sabong operation within the property and immediately carried out appropriate law enforcement procedures against those involved.

Those arrested were identified as alias “JG,” 40; alias “FD,” 38; alias “RL,” 36; and alias “EC,” 29.

Inventory showed the operatives recovered 142 live fighting cocks, 106 carcasses of fighting cocks, 156 gaffs, two camera stands and two television monitors.

Charges for violation of Presidential Decree 1602 (Illegal Gambling) in relation to Republic Act 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, are being prepared against the arrested individuals, who are now under the custody of the E.B. Magalona Municipal Police Station.

“At this stage, the investigation remains ongoing. No conclusions will be drawn, and no liability will be attributed beyond what is supported by evidence and the applicable law. PRO-NIR remains committed to due process and the fair administration of justice,” Cardiño said.

He assured the public that PRO-NIR will pursue the investigation wherever the evidence leads.

“Our actions will not be influenced by position, affiliation, or status. Our responsibility is to enforce the law fairly, impartially, and without fear or favor,” he added.

In a statement, the local government unit of E.B. Magalona said they entrust to competent authorities how to handle the matter regarding the raid of the e-sabong operation in Barangay Alicante.

“Let an investigation take its course. Rest assured that whatever the outcome, we will respect such,” it added.

The discovery of the e-sabong operation in E.B. Magalona came almost three months since operatives led by the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group arrested 30 persons and seized various digital equipment at an e-sabong facility in the nearby Talisay City.

They found the private property in Sitio Catamnan 2, Barangay Concepcion to be functioning as a covert online cockfighting arena.

The continued suspension of e-sabong operations nationwide was ordered by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in Executive Order No. 9 issued on Dec. 28, 2022.

The EO suspends live-streaming or broadcasting of live cockfights outside cockpits or cockfighting arenas, or premises where cockfights are being held.

Also suspended are online/remote, or off-cockpit wagering/betting on live cockfighting matches and/or activities streamed or broadcast live, regardless of the location of the betting platform.* (Nanette Guadalquiver / PRO NIR photos)