Bacolod Police Official Probed for Alleged Ties to Chinese Crime Syndicate

A Bacolod police major is under investigation for allegedly protecting a Chinese-led illegal cigarette manufacturing ring and e-sabong operations in Negros Occidental.

A senior police official in Bacolod City is facing intense scrutiny after being linked to a sophisticated Chinese crime syndicate operating an expansive illegal cigarette manufacturing and distribution network.. This development follows a series of high-stakes raids conducted by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Bago and Bacolod City, which effectively crippled a multi-million peso illicit enterprise.

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla confirmed that an active police major is currently under preventive custody.. Officials believe the officer, who allegedly served as a protector for the group, did not act alone, prompting an internal deep dive into potential complicity within the ranks.. The raids, executed on April 22, 2026, resulted in the seizure of nearly P800 million worth of machinery, tobacco materials, and finished goods.

A Web of Illicit Activity

The scale of the operation suggests a deep-rooted criminal infrastructure that had been running undetected since the third quarter of 2025.. During the coordinated strikes, authorities arrested 10 foreign nationals involved in the production of counterfeit cigarettes, which were reportedly being shipped across major regions including Southern Luzon, Central Visayas, and the National Capital Region.. Beyond simple smuggling, the syndicate faces allegations of labor exploitation, as reports surfaced that local workers were kept in restrictive conditions and denied promised wages.

Adding to the security concerns, a follow-up operation on April 23 in Talisay City led to the arrest of 30 individuals operating a clandestine “e-sabong” or online cockfighting facility.. The site was equipped with advanced technology, including Starlink satellite receivers, to broadcast illegal matches for remote betting.. The proximity and timing of these two major busts suggest that the region had become a primary hub for transnational criminal elements looking to exploit digital platforms and local vulnerabilities.

Impact on Public Trust and National Revenue

The economic implications of these operations are severe.. By bypassing the legal tobacco industry, the syndicate successfully deprived the government of billions in excise tax revenues—funds that are explicitly earmarked for public healthcare and social services.. When law enforcement officers act as conduits for such criminal groups, it erodes the very foundation of public trust, effectively turning the protectors of the law into silent partners of those who weaken the economy.

This incident forces a broader conversation about how foreign criminal syndicates manage to embed themselves in provincial settings.. The recruitment of local labor and the use of covert warehouses indicate a strategic effort to blend into the local industrial landscape.. As authorities tighten their grip on these operations, the challenge remains in untangling the web of influence that allowed such large-scale facilities to operate without interference for months..

Looking ahead, the focus of the investigation will shift toward dismantling the entire supply chain and identifying every official who may have provided protection.. The Philippine National Police has signaled a zero-tolerance policy, vowing that administrative and criminal consequences will follow for any personnel found compromised.. For now, the successful neutralization of these sites serves as a stern warning that the government’s crackdown on illicit manufacturing and digital gambling is entering an aggressive new phase.