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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Visayas devider Remulla tags CIDG-Bacolod chief as e-sabong protector

Remulla tags CIDG-Bacolod chief as e-sabong protector

Published Apr 27, 2026 09:36 pm
INTERIOR and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla (center), with Police Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. (left), Philippine National Police chief, and Police Brig. Gen. Arnold Ibay, Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) director, during their visit to Negros Occidental on April 24. (PNP PIO)
INTERIOR and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla (center), with Police Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. (left), Philippine National Police chief, and Police Brig. Gen. Arnold Ibay, Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) director, during their visit to Negros Occidental on April 24. (PNP PIO)

BACOLOD CITY – Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Monday, April 27, named Police Major Edgar Tonico Jr., chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-Bacolod, as an alleged e-sabong protector in Negros Island. 

Remulla’s revelation came three days after he visited Negros Occidental on April 24 with Police Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., PNP chief, to inspect the dismantled P800-million cigarette smuggling ring in this highly-urbanized city and Bago City, Negros Occidental and e-sabong operations in Talisay City, Negros Occidental.

“Siya (Tonico) ang protector. Siya ang nanliligaw sa mga pulis kung may follow-up operations na ginagawa. Hindi mo mahahalata kasi ang ginawa pang background ay Vietnamese ang nakasulat – pinapalabas nila na out of the country ang operations pero dito talaga sa Pilipinas – sa Talisay City ginagawa ang studio para sa e-sabong," Remulla said. 

(Tonico is the protector. Operations look like out of the country but they are being conducted in Talisay City)  

Remulla said they could not see a direct link or connection to e-sabong operations in the province to businessman Atong Ang who is wanted for his alleged link to missing sabungeros or cockfight enthusiasts.

But the DILG chief said that Tonico and a certain Don Robert were reportedly working for Ang. "They were known cohorts of Atong Ang in the height of the e-sabong between 2020 and 2022," Remulla said.

Remulla said Tonico's alleged link to e-sabong operations prompted them to assign CIDG-Cebu and main office to lead the operation in Talisay City.

He said that Tonico is under preventive custody at the regional headquarters. A case buildup is ongoing for his alleged participation in e-sabong operations. 

Tonico was previously assigned to the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office and CIDG-Aklan before his assignment to CIDG-Bacolod last year. He has yet to comment on the allegations. 

Remulla said the operation was conducted after missing fighting cocks were reported in the past four months in Negros Island Region and sold illegally in cockpits where matches are being held. 

Remulla said that initial information showed that bets on both sides reach P5 million and cockpits could have 50 matches a day being broadcast live nationwide. "Malaking operation ito (This is a big operation). Small things led to big things," he added. 

During the operation, 30 persons were arrested, including a minor, in a rented private property in Barangay Concepcion. A studio for e-sabong was discovered and at least 280 fighting cocks were recovered. 

Remulla believes that the e-sabong operation and the multi-million illegal tobacco manufacturing discovered in Bago City were connected. 

"Ang kumplikado. Nabuwag na ang grupo at hinahanap ngayon si alias Don Robert at alias Macmac na may hawak ng operations," Remulla said. 

(It’s very complicated. The group was dismantled and we are looking for Don Robert and Macmac who are handling operations)

He said that the CIDG is conducting follow-up operations. 

Related Tags

DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla Bacolod City E-sabong CIDG
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