BACOLOD City – The Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) has filed criminal and administrative complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman against a member of the Negros Occidental Sangguniang Panlalawigan in connection with the alleged discovery of an illegal online cockfighting (e-sabong) operation inside a property reportedly owned by the politician’s family corporation.
Police Brig. Gen. Romano V. Cardiño, PRO-NIR regional director, confirmed on July 23 that the Regional Special Operations Group (RSOG) filed the complaints on July 20 against Third District Board Member Andrew Gerard L. Montelibano.
The complaints stemmed from a joint police operation on July 8 at Hacienda Pilar fish farm in Barangay Alicante, E.B. Magalona, Negros Occidental.
Authorities said the operation, which was conducted to serve warrants against a most wanted person, led to the alleged discovery of a clandestine e-sabong operation within the property.
Cardiño did not disclose the specific criminal and administrative charges filed, saying the complaints are now under the jurisdiction of the Office of the Ombudsman.
“The filing and receipt of these complaints are part of the legal process and should not be construed as a determination of guilt,” Cardiño said in a statement.
He added that PRO-NIR would refrain from discussing the evidence and allegations contained in the complaints to avoid prejudicing the Ombudsman’s evaluation.
“The PRO-NIR remains steadfast in its commitment to uphold the rule of law through professional, impartial, and evidence-based law enforcement, while respecting the independence of the Office of the Ombudsman in the disposition of the complaints,” he said.
Montelibano has denied any knowledge of the alleged e-sabong activities.
In an earlier interview on July 10, he said the portion of the fish farm where the operation was allegedly discovered had been leased since December last year to a man he identified only as “Ricky.”
When asked whether he knew the tenant’s full identity, Montelibano replied that he did not.
Despite the filing of the complaints, the provincial board member maintained his innocence and said he is prepared to answer the allegations through the proper legal process.
“My conscience is clear,” Montelibano said, adding that he is ready to face whatever charges may be filed against him.
Following confirmation that the complaints had been lodged before the Ombudsman, Montelibano said he would wait to receive copies of the complaints before issuing a formal response.
“I’ll just wait for the copies of the complaints,” he said, adding that he would engage legal counsel to represent him before the Ombudsman./PN
