• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) has filed criminal and administrative complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman against Negros Occidental Third District Board Member Andrew Gerard Montelibano in connection with an alleged illegal online cockfighting (e-sabong) operation.
In a statement, PRO-NIR said the complaints were formally filed on July 20, 2026 by the Regional Special Operations Group, following joint law enforcement operations in Barangay Alicante, E.B. Magalona.
The police operation, which initially targeted most wanted person Ronil Garde, led authorities to discover what they described as an illegal online sabong operation.
The PRO-NIR emphasized that the filing of the complaints is part of the legal process and should not be interpreted as a determination of guilt.
Montelibano earlier denied any involvement in the alleged multi-million-peso illegal e-sabong operation, stressing that he is prepared to fully cooperate with authorities after being identified as a person of interest in the investigation.
The PRO-NIR further said that it would refrain from disclosing specific details, evidence, or allegations contained in the complaints, noting that the matter is now under the jurisdiction of the Office of the Ombudsman.
“The organization believes that any further disclosure may unduly affect the proceedings and as such, will defer to the proper legal process,” the regional police office said.
PRO-NIR Director PBGen. Romano Cardiño reiterated the police organization’s commitment to professional, impartial, and evidence-based law enforcement while respecting the independence of the Ombudsman in evaluating the complaints.
Four suspects were also arrested after the raid and the complaints filed against them are presently under preliminary investigation, PRO-NIR spokesperson Lt. Col. Joem Malong said. | GPB
