NBi 7 officials claim charges made by cockpit cashier trumped-up

OFFICIALS of the National Bureau of Investigation in Central Visayas (NBI 7) believed that the complaint filed against them before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas was made in retaliation against their campaign to stop illegal online cockfighting (e-sabong) activities in the region.

In a statement sent to SunStar Cebu on Thursday, March 2, 2023, the NBI 7 said that despite the complaint, they will answer the allegations against them before the anti-graft office.

“We believe that this issue is related to the refiling of cases by NBI 7 against the illegal e-sabong operators and staff of Amenic N’ Calajoan who continue to defy the order of the President to stop illegal e-sabong activities. The same individuals are facing similar charges filed by another law enforcement counterpart, the PNP,” the NBI 7 said.

As of Friday, March 3, the NBI 7 had not yet received a copy of the complaint.

“Nonetheless, once furnished with the [complaint], the NBI will answer all the allegations in accordance with the legal procedure in the proper forum,” it added.

The NBI 7 also assured that the complaint lodged against its officials would not discourage its agents from enforcing laws.

In an eight-page complaint she lodged before the Ombudsman on Tuesday, Feb. 28, Mary Cris Cabalquinto accused 11 people, including 10 NBI 7 officials, of committing illegal acts while conducting a raid at the Amenic n’ Calajoan cockpit in Barangay Calajoan, Minglanilla town on Sept. 16, 2022.

Cabalquinto, who works as a cashier at the cockpit, accused the NBI 7 agents of pocketing around P8.3 million of the firm’s earnings, among other violations.

Cabalquinto also accused the NBI 7 officials of alleged grave misconduct.

The respondents in the complaint are NBI 7 Director Rennan Oliva, supervising agents Wenceslao Galindez and Donaver Inesin, and agents Contessa Lastimoso, Agapito Gierran, Bienvenido Panacean and Niño Rodriguez.

Also included in the complaint are administrative aide Audie Ybiernas, job order employees Erman Mier and Mark Dominique Nadela, and civilian Michael Castro, who is identified as a “retired police officer.” (ANV / TPT)