MANILA, Philippines — Despite Malacañang’s directive to stop e-sabong nationwide, suspended Negros 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. allegedly continues to operate online gambling activities, as revealed during yesterday’s Senate hearing on high-profile killings in the province.
Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, who chairs the panel conducting the hearing, urged the Philippine National Police (PNP), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and other law enforcement agencies to go after e-sabong operations in the country.
“Regardless of who is involved, it’s not just Teves, end all e-sabong,” Dela Rosa said on the third hearing day of the Senate committee ≠≠≠≠≠≠on public order’s inquiry into the deadly attack against governor Roel Degamo and other people in Negros Oriental.
“Use all your (law enforcement) abilities. They say you can’t do it because of technology, use the internet to stop it… that is your sworn duty,” Dela Rosa, a former PNP chief, added.
The senator said President Marcos and former president Rodrigo Duterte ordered the stop of e-sabong operations nationwide but its operations continue in Central Visayas (Region 7).
“We are being challenged here. You should respond to the challenge,” added Dela Rosa, who recalled the committee’s investigation during the 18th Congress on the ill effects of e-sabong on people.
During the Senate hearing, NBI Region 7 Director Rennan Oliva confirmed that Teves allegedly threatened to include him in a theft case if the agency did not abandon its operations against illegal e-sabong operations.
With printed copies of screenshots of CCTV footage showing Teves and his entourage arriving at his Cebu office, Oliva recalled their meeting on Sept. 20, 2022 which was four days after the NBI raided a cockpit in Barangay Calajoan, Minglanilla town, southern Cebu.
Aside from citing a court order and a Palace directive, Oliva said he informed Teves that the cockpit and the website streaming of sabong were illegal as they were not registered under the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor).
But Teves allegedly threatened to include Oliva in the case to be filed against the NBI raiders if his office did not stop its operations against e-sabong.
“I was surprised at his response to me. He told me that he will sue my men for stealing P7 million during the raid,” Oliva said. “I just laughed. I told him you cannot tell me to betray my oath as a law enforcement officer.”
The NBI regional chief recalled having told Teves that they would rather answer the charges. Later, his team learned that they were charged with stealing P9 million during the raid, which Oliva said were trumped-up accusations.
Dela Rosa’s reaction to the testimonies before his committee prompted him to say “there is a reign of terror in your province.”
“From one person’s story to the next, there appeared to be a discernible pattern. It seemed that the saying was once again proven to be true – violence cannot help but breed even more violence,” the senator noted.
Meanwhile, the panel cited a policeman in contempt for allegedly lying when he denied the accusation that he refused to blotter the complaint of a Negrense, who later turned up dead in the province.
Dela Rosa cited Staff Sergeant Renevic Rizaldo in contempt, following a motion by Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, who was apparently irked that the policemen did not assist a citizen, who later ended up dead.
“His motioned was backed by Sen. Bong Revilla. “How many times have we asked Rizaldo, and it seems he is lying, the witnesses are here. We see that he is lying, we see that his loyalty is to his boss and not to the uniform. And I second the motion,” said Revilla.
Rizaldo kept saying he could not recall the incident which happened just a year ago.
Military takeover?
Meanwhile, Sen. Robinhood Padilla said yesterday a military takeover might be implemented in Negros Oriental to prevent the possible explosion of a “social volcano” in the province due to the crimes and abuses.
During the continuation of the hearing of the Senate committee on public order on high-profile killings in Negros Oriental, including Gov. Roel Degamo, Padilla said the Constitution allows the takeover by the Armed Forces of the Philippines if needed and if authorized by the President.
“To prevent the social volcano in Negros Oriental from exploding due to the crimes and abuses there, is it time for a ‘military takeover’ there?” asked Padilla. “Our Constitution is clear – if an area is infested with crimes, the President is allowed to authorize the military to take over. Do you think it is time for this in Negros Oriental?”