The Philippine National Police (PNP) defended the anti-e-sabong or online cockfight betting operation carried out by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) - NCR at the Coliseo de Manila on March 24, according to a Monday report.

In a report by RH 52 Edniel Parrosa, this was a response to complaints from the cockpit arena management, who alleged that operatives stole from them during the raid.

PNP Spokesperson PBGen. Randulf Tuaño said that an undercover CIDG operative had only taken a betting ticket, which was captured by the CCTV.

“Kinuha (ng operatiba) ‘yung ebidensya na betting ticket, at siya po ay sumenyas,” Tuaño said.

Tuaño explained that this served as evidence as part of the entrapment operation, proven by the operative’s special gesture in the footage, a signal to proceed with the operation.