Tulfo Blasts PNP, Tags Pineda and Bernos as ‘Gambling Kingpins’
Senator Raffy Tulfo sharply criticized the Philippine National Police, Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center, and National Bureau of Investigation for what he described as slow and selective enforcement against illegal online sabong and online gambling operations.
During the Senate Committee on Games and Amusement hearing on February 11, Tulfo presented what he claimed was a live e-sabong operation allegedly running in Central Luzon, despite the government’s earlier announcement of a total ban.
The senator questioned the effectiveness of the PNP’s estimated ₱1.3 billion intelligence funds, asking why major personalities behind the operations remain untouched.
“Yes may na-down kayong e-sabong sites, kaso ‘yun yung mga pipitsugin, mga guerilla, pero itong pinakamalaki sa buong Pilipinas ay hindi niyo kayang i-takedown located sa Central Luzon. Kilala niyo naman ang kingpin sa gambling, hindi niyo magalaw-galaw,” saad niya.
“Ipakita niyo sa amin na kayo po ay nagtatrabaho para sa taumbayan at hindi para sa maimpluwensiyang at makapangyarihang mga tao lang,” dagdag niya.
Tulfo went further by naming Pineda and Bernos during the hearing, calling them alleged “gambling kingpins.” He questioned why authorities appear to go after small-time gambling operators while supposedly ignoring bigger personalities.
“Yung mga maliliit at pipitsugin na nagto-tong its, kara krus at tupada, kumakaripas kayong i-raid ang paghuhulihin pero kapag itong si Pineda sa Region 3 at Bernos sa Abra mga malalaking gambling lords never niyong ginalaw ever since, never niyong kinalabit.”
The senator challenged the CICC, NBI, and PNP to shut down and arrest those behind the continuing online gambling operations and prove that enforcement is not selective.
Tulfo also called for faster and more concrete action against illegal online gambling activities, warning that failure to act only strengthens the perception that influential figures are being protected.
