Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 30) – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said it has recommended the inclusion of e-sabong or online cockfighting in the list of illegal gambling activities under Presidential Decree 1602 or the country’s anti-illegal gambling law.
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The PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group has recommended the measure in its consultation with Congress, PNP Chief General Rodolfo Azurin reported in a press briefing.
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The agency also proposed sanctions against service providers that will fail to block e-sabong websites.
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“We have dedicated law enforcement agencies. As a matter of fact makikita mo, even NTC, and DICT very visible and cooperative sa PNP sa paghabol sa direktiba ng pangulo under EO 9 na patigilin ang proliferation ng e-sabong,” the police chief said.
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[Translation: We have dedicated law enforcement agencies. As a matter of fact you can see, even NTC, and DICT are very visible and cooperative with the PNP in pursuing the president’s directive under EO 9 to stop the proliferation of e-sabong.]
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President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., in EO 9 issued in December last year, ordered the continued suspension of the livestreaming or broadcasting of cockfights outside cockpits, cockfighting arenas, or other premises where cockfights are being held.
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EO 9 also tasked the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation to coordinate with local government units, other concerned government agencies and private entities on the implementation of the order.
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Meanwhile, the PNP also admitted that the agency is having a hard time dealing with the technology, hence the delay in the progress of e-sabong cases.
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“Honestly nahihirapan ang PNP sa pagsugpo ng e-sabong. It’s more on technology,” Azurin said.
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[Translation: Honestly, the PNP is having a hard time suppressing e-sabong. It’s more on technology.]
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Azurin added that people involved in e-sabong are “well financed with overwhelming resources.”
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