Cop faces dismissal for robbery try allegedly over online sabong addiction (Sabong News)
Author
Aaron Recuenco
Date
FEBRUARY 19 2022
A police corporal is facing dismissal from the service after he was caught robbing a hardware store in Oriental MIndoro on Friday night, Feb. 18.
And the reason why he tried to rob the ABC3 Hardware located in Barangay Sta. Maria in Gloria town was that he is addicted to online sabong (cockfighting), according to Police Maj. Edwin H. Villarba, chief of Gloria Municipal Police Station.
“He was also involved in online sabong which allegedly compelled him to commit the said crime,” said Villarba.
In a phone interview, Police Regional Office 4B spokesperson Maj. Loreto Maulion, said being an active bettor on online sabong was also established as the reason why Maranan barged inside the hardware.
“Accordingly, he was buried in debt because of this online sabong,” Maulion told the Manila Bulletin.
Maulion said barangay watchmen (tanod) immediately went into the area after receiving reports from local residents about noises inside the hardware at around 10 p.m.
When they arrived in the area, the two barangay tanod discovered that the doorknob of the hardware store was broken. They also saw pliers, screwdrivers, and a hammer on the ground.
Maranan was arrested by the two barangay tanod when he went outside the establishment 30 minutes later. Seized from him were his service firearm, bullets and certificate of authority issued by the Commission on Elections.
Online sabong has been the subject of funny memes in the social media. One the memes tell about a bettor expressing gratitude to online sabong for helping him buy a new motorcycle–but he used to own a Sports Utility Vehicle.
Police Brig. Gen. Sidney Hernia, director of the PRO 4B, said he had already ordered the local police to immediately file both criminal and administrative cases against Maranan.
If found guilty in administrative case, Maranan would be dismissed from the service as the case involves a grave offense.
“We never tolerate any misfits or rogue cops in our ranks. If pieces of evidence warrant, he has to be dismissed from the service immediately after due process,” said Hernia.
Currently, the PRO4B initiated 89 administrative cases from January 1, 2021 to February 19, 2022.
Out of the said figure, 81 cases were already resolved while the remaining eight are still on deliberation.
