Cebu cop arrested over illegal cockfight
A POLICEMAN in Cebu City was arrested when he was caught engaging in an illegal cockfight Sunday afternoon, June 21, 2020.
Three civilians were also arrested along with Staff Sergeant Charlito Sanchez Tinoy when police raided an illegal cockfight in Sudlon, Cebu City.
All four were taken to the PNP-IMEG office in Visayas Field Unit for documentation and filing of criminal and administrative charges.
Brigadier General Ronald Lee, Philippine National Police (PNP) Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG) director, said Tinoy is assigned at the Regional Personnel Holding Accounting Section of the Central Visayas Regional Police Office.
Lee said Tinoy was previously arrested for illegal gambling.
The three civilians who were also arrested were identified as Jojo Ombos Mainit, Frederick Jacalan Vosotros, and Lando Sabanal Calumba.
Lee said Sunday’s operation stemmed from a report from concerned citizens.
“We’re intensifying our monitoring of policemen involved in all forms of illegal activities and assure the public that we will apprehend them as soon as we have built enough evidence against them. We must make it clear that General (Archie) Gamboa has a strict zero-tolerance policy against police officers who continue to tarnish the good reputation and image of the majority of the police force,” Lee said in a statement sent to reporters.
Recovered during the raid were cockfighting paraphernalia including gaffs, cash bets and several fighting cocks.
The IMEG Visayas Field United and the Regional Special Operations Group Regional Intelligence Division conducted the raid in coordination with the Cebu Police Provincial Office.
Lee called on the public to report the presence of PNP personnel involved in any irregularities to the PNP IMEG Hotlines: SMART- 09989702286 or GLOBE- 09957952569. Information may also be forwarded to its Facebook page Integrity Monitoring Enforcement Group.
“There will be no respite in the crackdown against scalawags amid the enhanced community quarantine against Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019). We’re intensifying our monitoring of policemen involved in all forms of illegal activities and assure the public we will apprehend them as soon as we have enough evidence against them," he said.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government earlier said cockfighting remains prohibited under the general community quarantine and the modified general community quarantine.
PNP chief Archie Gamboa reiterated his warning to rogue cops.
“Just as the PNP is quick to recognize and reward our personnel for their outstanding performance, we are equally swift and decisive in going after erring cops. This should therefore serve as a warning to PNP personnel who refuse to toe the line,” he said in a press conference.
“I am both an officer of the law and an officer of the courts. Rest assured that I will file cases against you and hold you accountable for your criminal acts,” he added. (SunStar Philippines)