ILOILO City – If it finds them, the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) will stop, take down or close electronic cock derby operations, websites and betting stations.
The PRO-6 is acting on the order of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Philippine National Police (PNP) to crack down on “e-sabong”, said regional police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Arnel Solis.
A unit will focus on this task, said Solis – the Regional Anti-cyber Crime Unit (RACU).
“Illegal gid ina kun may money involved kay may taya,” said Solis.
President Rodrigo Duterte recently ordered a stop to e-sabong, citing its adverse effects to society.
Here, Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) director Colonel Leo Batiles instructed precinct commanders to check their areas for e-sabong.
“Sige aton monitor. Kag sa aton mga police personnel, do not to engage in e-sabong. Manabat gid sila. They will face criminal and administrative charges,” Batiles said.
The DILG, through its regional and field offices, earlier conducted a survey in every city and municipality across the country to gauge public perceptions on e-sabong and to provide the President with a basis for his decision on the fate of the activity.
Based on the survey results, 62% or a majority of those surveyed wanted to put a stop to e-sabong, which became prominent during the community quarantine in the last two years of the pandemic; 34% wanted it to continue but with tighter regulation; while 4% completely supported it.
The reasons cited by the respondents for opposing e-sabong included addiction to gambling, bankruptcy of players, indebtedness, cost to family, neglect of work and studies, and crime.
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation’s (PAGCOR) Regulatory Framework for Electronic Sabong defines e-sabong as “an online, remote, or off-site wagering or betting on live cockfighting matches, events, and/or activities streamed or broadcasted live from cockpit arena/s licensed or authorized by the LGUs having jurisdiction thereof.”/PN
