• THERESA MAE DULMAN
Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla Jr. has identified Police Major Edgar Tonico Jr., the head of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Bacolod, as the alleged protector of the illegal e-sabong operation in Talisay City, Negros Occidental.
On April 22, a composite CIDG team dismantled an illegal e-sabong operation in Brgy. Concepcion, Talisay City, resulting in the arrest of 30 suspects, including a minor, and the rescue of two alleged trafficking victims.
“Kaya nung ginawa namin ang operations, hindi namin kinuha ang NIR (Negros Island Region), ang ginamit namin noong operations ay CIDG Cebu at saka CIDG main dito sa NCR,” Remulla said during a press briefing yesterday.
Remulla also said in a report from The Philippine Daily Inquirer that the Philippine National Police is looking into claims linking the police major to fugitive Charlie ‘Atong’ Ang.
He added that the police officer has been relieved of his post and is currently under the preventive custody in the NIR headquarters and undergoing a case buildup for his participation in the illegal e-sabong operations.
The probe was triggered by a law enforcement raid last April 21 that dismantled an illegal cigarette manufacturing network in Bago City and Bacolod, valued at nearly P799 million, and led to the arrest of 10 Chinese nationals.
Meanwhile, the Police Regional Office NIR said in a statement that it is never remiss in disciplining its personnel and does not tolerate any involvement in illegal activities.
“Any member of the organization found to have violated the law, rules, or ethical standards shall be dealt with accordingly and subjected to appropriate administrative and criminal proceedings,” the regional office said.*
