CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Police Office director Royina Garma said she was elated that Globaltech Mobile Online Corp. (Globaltech), a gaming technology provider, issued statements clearing her of allegations that she received payola in exchange for police protection of gambling operations.
Globaltech, through lawyer Bernard Vitriolo, clarified that contrary to the allegations of Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña that Garma protected an illegal numbers game when she headed the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-7, they were not availing of any police protection.
“Nalipay ko kay ang Globaltech Mobile Online Corp. has aired their side with regards to the allegation of the mayor against me. Unta ang mga tao makabasa og maklaro pud nga tanan nga gihatag nga accusation sa amoa diri, dili tinuod,” Garma said.
Osmeña alleged that Garma had been extending police protection to Globaltech’s Piryahan ng Bayan.
Vitriolo said Globaltech did not need to avail of illegal police protection because their operations have always been legal. The Court of Appeals authorized them to operate their Piryahan ng Bayan games nationwide, including Cebu City.
In its decision dated January 15, the CA upheld the status quo ante order issued by the Pasig City Regional Trial Court Branch 161 last May 2016 that allowed Piryahan ng Bayan operations to proceed pending an arbitration proceeding.
The allegation of Osmeña, Vitriolo said, tainted the reputation of their company.
Police Regional Office-7 director Debold Sinas said their office encouraged Garma to file a complaint.
He, however, said the problem is there were political statements and there were allegations, and they have to treat them separately if they want to file charges.
Osmeña should have targeted his opponent and not Garma, said Sinas.
“Supposed to be iyaha untang targeton iyang kalaban… Pwede ba kaha si Garma mag-apply og candidate,” he said. — BRP (FREEMAN)