Manila: The National Police Commission (Napolcom) has dismissed the cases filed against operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in connection with the March 24 operation targeting alleged online cockfighting (e-sabong) activities at the Coliseo de Manila in Vitas, Tondo.
According to Philippines News Agency, Napolcom Commissioner Ralph Calinisan emphasized the commission's commitment to preventing the misuse of administrative proceedings for the purpose of harassing law enforcement personnel carrying out their lawful duties. Calinisan stated, "Napolcom will not allow itself to be used as an instrument for harassment against police officers who are lawfully discharging their sworn duties. While we remain resolute in our mandate to discipline erring personnel within the PNP (Philippine National Police), we are equally committed to protecting our officers from baseless and retaliatory complaints."
Napolcom's findings confirmed the legality and appropriateness of the operation, underscoring that administrative processes should not be manipulated to undermine legitimate law enforcement efforts. The complaint had challenged the legality of the operation and accused the police officers of theft. However, based on the evidence presented, Napolcom determined that there was no probable cause to pursue the case.
The evidence included a video depicting a CIDG operative seemingly pocketing an item. Napolcom clarified that this action was a pre-arranged signal for the team to initiate the raid. In a press briefing, Philippine National Police spokesperson Brig. Gen. Randulf Tua±o explained that the officer in the video was collecting a "bet ticket" as evidence and using the signal to alert his team. Tua±o stated, "The movement of our operative was not theft of money but the retrieval of a bet ticket as evidence after he had already entered. After recovering the bet ticket, he signaled his colleagues."
The operation led to the arrest of 174 individuals, and authorities seized 48 desktop computers used as betting stations, 24 live roosters, cockfighting gaffs, and various amounts of cash.
