Police admit e-sabong operations continue

CEBU, Philippines —  Online sabong has continued despite President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to stop its operations nationwide.

The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) has confirmed that they have received reports about the continued operations of e-sabong albeit betting is done through cellphones.

Lt. Col. Wilbert Parilla, deputy city director for operations, admitted the police have been rendered inutile in going after the people who continue to patronize the illegal operation.

"Mao na siyay usa na nakalisod kay pwede ra kang mu-open og website, dira ra ka sa kwarto nimo, so wala nay makakita, wala nay police makabadlong," Parilla said.

According to Parilla, while betting stations have ceased operations, online sabong patrons can still access it through online sites using their mobile phones. He said they are now coordinating with their higher headquarters to seek guidance whether this type of operations are covered by the closure order of the president.

"So we will ask guidance with it no kung apil ba ni sya gihapon sa gipahunong. We will seek guidance first sa atong higher headquarters or sa atong legal service kung unsa atong buhaton ani, if illegal kung unsay mga ebidensya ang kuhaon nato," said Parilla.

For now, Parilla said they are intensifying their monitoring of cyberspace, particularly on websites that are still operating e-sabong. Although he said the task is difficult.

"Maglisod ta ani," he said.

Parilla has appealed to the public not to patronize the illegal operations of e-sabong. Instead, he encouraged them to go to legitimate cockfighting arenas that are now allowed to reopen.

"So far wala na kaayo tay report sa (illegal) tigbakay considering naa nay mga open nga legal nga cockpit arenas," he said.

On March 1,  Duterte ordered a stop to e-sabong despite contributing about P640 million a month in revenues to the government. The order was prompted by the disappearance of more than 30 cockfighters and mounting complaints about its unpleasant repercussions on families and society.

Duterte also cited a result of the survey conducted by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) showing that 62 percent of the 8,000 respondents wanted e-sabong stopped.

Among the reasons cited by the respondents for opposing e-sabong were “addiction to gambling, bankruptcy of players, indebtedness, cost to family, neglect of work and studies, and crime.” — FPL (FREEMAN)