Dela Rosa on leading Senate e-sabong probe: 'Hindi ako masisilaw sa pera' (Sabong News)

Senator Ronald ‘’Bato’’ dela Rosa on Saturday afternoon, Feb. 26 vowed to go ahead with his investigation into the controversial 24/7 operation of e-sabong (online cockfight), which is believed to be a multi-billion pero industry. More importantly, the senator guaranteed that he would not be blinded by money in his quest for justice for the 31 persons kidnapped from three cockfight arenas months ago. ‘’Andito na tayo full-blown na ang investigation (We are into a full-blown investigation). Kahit matabunan ako ng pera hindi pa rin ako masisilaw dyan sa pera na yan kaya gagawin natin ang tama para makuha natin ang hustisya para sa 31 na taong nawawala (I will not be blinded by money in my quest to attain justice for the missing 31 persons). Justice must be served. Di man siguro ako aabot sa ganito para tabunan lang ng pera (I could not have reached this point to be corrupted by money),’’ Dela Rosa told DWIZ radio. Dela Rosa said his Senate Public Order and Dangerous Drugs Committee would resume its panel hearings on March 4. The former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief told DWIZ that his committee is now drafting a Senate resolution asking President Duterte to suspend the operation of seven e-sabong operator. He said he might send it to Malacañang on Monday via courier. Dela Rosa, a political ally of President Duterte, said he is hoping to get an audience with the Chief Executive over the weekend on the e-sabong issue. He said he hopes he might get a ‘’positive response from the President”. He also said he would point out to the President the testimony given during ihis committee hearing on the ill effects of e-sabong. He cited cases of suicides due to financial losses and a law enforcer committing crimes stemming from their supposed addiction to e-sabong and gambling. Licenses to e-sabong operations are given by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor). Dela Rosa said Atong Ang’s e-sabong company conducts 350 cockfights a day and a single incident where a cock is secretly disabled just before a cockfight means a person or persons would be kidnapped. As a former police investigator, Dela Rosa feared the worst regarding the fate of the 31 missing gamers. He also said that are attempts to derail the Senate probe on e-sabong by spreading ‘’fake news”.