THE Philippine National Police (PNP) anti-illegal gambling efforts have taken concrete steps to investigate its personnel who are allegedly involved in illicit activities, particularly e-sabong or the online cockfighting game.
Records from the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management showed that seven complaints involving police personnel reportedly linked to e-sabong activities have been listed from January 1 to February 21, 2022.
Three police officers are assigned at Police Regional Office 4A, one from the Regional Office in Bicol, another from Eastern Visayas, one from the Highway Patrol Group, and one from the National Capital Region.
Those from Region 4A are facing an administrative complaint of Unbecoming of a Police Officer for failing to comply with any lawful order of a superior officer and act or behavior of a police officer, irrespective of rank, done in his official or private capacity which, in dishonoring or disgracing himself as a police officer, seriously his character and standing in the PNP in such a manner as to indicated vitiated or corrupt state or moral character which shows his worthiness to remain in the police service.
The rest of the subjects for investigation were slapped with an administrative case of Grave Misconduct.
Police Staff Sergeant Jeffrey Cabelin of PRO8 has been suspended for 60 days.
Another Staff Sergeant Hason Togana Jr. from the HPG was penalized with a 6-month suspension.
Police Corporal Moises Yango was dismissed from the PNP service.
“This should serve as a lesson to their fellow police officers. There is no room for illegal gambling to thrive in the organization. It is unfortunate that we received complaints regarding their involvement in e-sabong, but they must face the consequences of their actions, no matter what their rank is,” PNP Chief General Dionardo Carlos said.
Carlos underscored the tendencies of giving in to temptations of corruption and neglect of duty once they get addicted to this activity,” It doesn’t give a good example to the public as law enforcers.”
