PHILIPPINE National Police chief Ronald dela Rosa on Monday ordered the conduct of intelligence operation in all the casinos in the Entertainment City in Parañaque City to identify the police officers loitering there.
“I am directing [Directorate for Intelligence Chief [Gregorio] Pimentel na mag-post siya ng intelligence sa Entertainment City at bantayan ‘yung mga pulis na palaging nakababad diyan sa mga casino,” Dela Rosa told reporters.
“So I am directing the director for intelligence, i-monitor mo ‘yung lahat ng pulis na tambay dyan. Marami nakababad na pulis dyan na scalawag, puro pera ang laman ng utak kahit na galing sa kriminal na paraan.”
Dela Rosa gave the order following the involvement of police officers in the kidnapping and killing of junket operator Carlos Abad Tan. He said police personnel had no business staying in casinos.
Without mentioning names, he said he knew of some policemen who were transferred to Mindanao but did not go there and instead were regular fixtures in casinos.
“Alam kong maraming ninja cops na hindi nag-report sa Mindanao, sa Basilan, hindi nag-report sa Marawi. Andyan sila ngayon sa Entertainment City nakatambay. Kung andyan sila para sa sugal, saan sila kukuha ng pera? Kung andyan sila, ano ang ginagawa nila?” Dela Rosa said.
He said they would focus on Entertainment City first, and then go to other casinos if they would receive reports that police officers were also hanging out there.
Tan and his driver John Nikko Tan were abducted on Oct. 21 along Naia Expressway in Parañaque City. Their kidnappers demanded an initial ransom of P50 million but later reduced it to P10 million.
The suspects then killed Tan on the night he was abducted, and his body was discovered on Oct. 23 on Pinaglintikan Bridge in Tagaytay City.
In a followup operation Friday, the PNP-Anti Kidnapping Group killed suspects Police Officer 3 Rodel Estonactoc, Police Officer 1 Ramil Espejo, Police Officer 1 Rolando Tabios and Erwin Escobido.
Also on Friday, SPO1 Benjamin Pagarigan surrendered to police while PO3 Arman Labrador was arrested Sunday night.
Police are still hunting Supt. Johnny Orme, the alleged leader of the kidnapping group; Alex Gozum, the alleged financier and a still unidentified tipster.