19 nabbed in Bulacan online cockfight hub

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga, Philippines — An underground online cockfighting or e-sabong facility allegedly serving bettors in Cambodia, Mexico and Vietnam was raided by authorities in Pandi, Bulacan on Thursday night.

The raid on the facility located in Barangay Poblacion resulted in the arrest of 19 people believed to be employees of the gambling hub.

Members of the Central Luzon police special operations group conducted the raid at around 6:30 p.m. based on a warrant issued by Judge Reuben Ritzuko Veradio of the Malolos Regional Trial Court Branch 104.

Central Luzon police director Brig. Gen. Jess Mendez said the e-sabong hub reportedly used sophisticated equipment and computer systems to livestream cockfights and facilitate bettings from abroad.

The raiding team seized several desktop computer units, monitors, cameras, audio mixers, microphones, networking devices, mobile phones and assorted electronic accessories as well as four live fighting cocks in the area.

Two studios where cockfights were staged and livestreamed were found at the hub, Mendez said.

Probers expressed belief the hub could be connected to overseas online gambling operations.

Charges will be filed against 21 people including the owner and supervisor of the facility who were not in the area during the raid, police said. — Emmanuel Tupas