Bato orders intel ops vs. ‘casino cops’

Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa on Monday ordered the conduct of intelligence operation in all the casinos in the Entertainment City in Parañaque City to identify police officers loitering there.

“Heto ngayon I am directing si [Directorate for Intelligence chief Director Gregorio] Pimentel na mag-post siya ng intelligence sa Entertainment City at bantayan ‘yung mga pulis na palaging nakababad diyan sa mga casino,” Dela Rosa said in a press conference.

“So I am directing the director for intelligence, monitor mo ‘yung lahat ng pulis na tambay dyan. Marami nakababad na pulis dyan na scalawag puro pera ang laman ng utak kahit na galing sa kriminal na paraan,” he added.

Dela Rosa gave the directive following the involvement of police officers in the kidnapping and killing of junket operator Carlos Abad Tan. He said police personnel have no business staying in casinos unless they are doing something illegal there.

“Likely pwede 'yang suspect sa mga kidnapping ng mga junket operator dahil alam nila kung sino nagkakapera, who’s who sa gambling business,” he said, adding policemen are not moneyed enough to play in casinos.

Without mentioning any names, he said he knows of some policemen who were transferred to Mindanao but did not go there and instead are regular fixtures in casinos.

“Alam kong maraming ninja cops na hindi nag-report sa Mindanao, sa Basilan, hindi nagreport sa Marawi. Andyan sila ngayon sa Entertainment City nakatambay. Kung andyan sila para sa sugal, saan sila kukuha ng pera? Kung andyan sila, ano ang ginagawa nila?” he said.

He said they will focus on Entertainment City first then will go to other casinos if they will receive report that police officers also hang out there.

Tan and his driver John Nikko Tan were abducted on October 21 along NAIA Expressway in Parañaque City. His kidnappers demanded an initial ransom of P50 million but later reduced it to P10 million.

Amid negotiation, the suspects killed Tan on the night he was abducted. His body was discovered on October 23 on Pinaglintikan Bridge in Tagaytay City.

In a follow up operation Friday, PNP-Anti Kidnapping Group killed suspects Police Officer 3 Rodel Estonactoc, Police Officer 1 Ramil Espejo, Police Officer 1 Rolando Tabios, and Erwin Escobido.

Recovered from the encounter area were a caliber .45 pistol with one magazine, and seven live ammunition; three Glock 9mm pistols with four magazines and 66 live ammunitions; silver Mitsubishi Adventure (ABQ 6451) registered to Jeanne Estonactoc; six pieces fired cartridge cases of M16 rifle; four pieces fired cartridge cases of caliber .45 pistol; and one fired cartridge of caliber 9mm.

Also on Friday, SPO1 Benjamin Pagarigan surrendered to police while PO3 Arman Labrador was arrested Sunday night.

Police are still hunting Superintendent Johnny Orme, alleged leader of the kidnapping group; Alex Gozum, alleged financier; and a still unidentified tipster. —KBK, GMA News