'Teves tried to protect e-sabong in Cebu' (Latest Sabong News)

SUSPENDED Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. attempted to interfere in a National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) operations against e-sabong (online cockfighting) in Cebu, one of the bureau's operatives said on Wednesday. NBI Region 7 Director Rennan Augustus Oliva told senators during the resumption of the hearing on political killings that on Sept. 16, 2022 the NBI, armed with a search warrant, raided a cockpit in Barangay Kalahuan in Mendenilla, Cebu for illegal gambling activities. Arrested during the operation were two cockpit operators and 37 employees using the website Go Perya.net. Oliva said on Sept. 20, 2022 at 3:41 p.m., Teves, accompanied by some people, arrived at the NBI office in Cebu City. "The opening statement of Congressman Teves to me was that he was not connected to e-sabong activities," Oliva said. "He then proceeded to ask me who authorized the operation which I told him it was our director in line with the order of our President (Ferdinand Marcos Jr.) to stop all e-sabong activities," Oliva added. He said Teves threatened to sue him and the raiding team, accusing them of stealing P7 million from the cockpit. "He continued to say that he will spare me from the case if I make it negative of any incoming operations against e-sabong. I just laughed because I told him you cannot tell me to betray my oath as a law enforcement officer," Oliva said. Sen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa lauded Oliva for standing his ground. "I admire your courage," he said, noting he would have arrested Teves "right there and then," if he was at Oliva's place. Teves, who was still in hiding, was tagged as the mastermind of the killing of Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo. In a related development, dela Rosa said there is no need to place Negros Oriental under martial law following the killing of Degamo. "There is no need for military takeover insofar as I'm concerned," the senator said. What is needed, he said, is a "strict" police commander who could discipline the police force in the province and not be influenced by local politicians. When asked by Sen. Robinhood Padilla on her thoughts on the matter, the widow of the slain governor, Pamplona town Mayor Janice Degamo said, "I think maybe a little bit one to two steps lower than martial law. I'm not very sure if [the declaration of a] state of emergency [in Negros Oriental is needed]." Armed Forces of the Philippines Brig. Gen. Gerry Pulohanan said such an extreme measure is unnecessary at the moment. "I think there's no lawless violence rampant to warrant to put the area under military control," he said. "For me that is my impression. I think the proper body to determine whether there really warrants putting the area under military control is someone from intel community, we will coordinate with the concerned," he added.