Personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Sibalom town, Province of Antique and four men who alleged that cops mauled them faced in a meeting at the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) 6 office. 

A case conference on the incident pushed through noontime on Wednesday, February 12, 2025 summoned by the chief of the Regional Investigation Unit of NAPOLCOM based on the allegation of the four “sabongeros” (persons engaged in cockfighting, especially involving bets). 

According to Napoleon Arostique, acting chief of NAPOLCOM 6’s Technical Services Division, both parties showed up, and presented their respective side to the incident beginning with the complaint of the “sabongeros.” 

Complainants accused two Sibalom policemen to have beaten them up, which the two cops have denied vehemently. 

The two policemen said that the persons  who hit the four “sabongeros” were believed workers at the cockpit arena who got irate at the four on alleged cheating in a game of illegal cockfighting.

The complainants were required to present pieces of evidence for the filing of a formal complaint against the policemen.

The policemen were asked to present their counter-affidavit as part of the procedure for due process.

Should wrongdoing on the side of the policemen be proven, they could face dismissal from the service, according to Arostique.

Earlier, Police Major Geremy Ian Magbanua, officer in charge of Sibalom Police, said that the accusation against the cops is malicious. He pointed out that when the cops responded at the area, the mauling incident had already happened.

“So be it. Conduct sila investigation kami ya handa ipakita tanan kag open kami mag-cooperate sa part namon, wala sang may natabo nga amo sina,” Magbanua said. 

In an interview with GMA Super Radyo Iloilo, Magbanua said it is possible that the four “sabongeros” got back at the police after they were charged for violation of Article 315 on estafa, and Presidential Decree 483 on illegal cockfighting. 

The incident happened on February 4, 2025. 

 (via R. Tenorio, D. Estante/GMA Super Radyo Iloilo)