Motorists ride past an online sabong center in Paco, Manila in this file photo taken when former President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the end of e-sabong operations upon the recommendation of the DILG in May 2022, citing its negative impact on people following the abduction of several cockfighters last year. INQUIRER file photo / MARIANNE BERMUDEZ
MANILA, Philippines – Admitting that the Philippine National Police (PNP) is struggling to crack down on online cockfighting operations or “e-sabong,” its chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin, Jr. on Monday recommended outlawing such activities.
In a news briefing, Azurin cited technological constraints and underscored the PNP’s challenges in the running after illegal online cockfighting operators, especially if they are based outside the Philippines.
“Honestly, the PNP is having a hard time clamping down on online cockfighting, because it’s more on technology, even if, as you noticed earlier, there’s quite a volume of e-sabong websites being taken down,” he said, speaking in a mix of English and Filipino.
Azurin pointed out that the people involved in online cockfighting activities are “well-financed.”
“Their resources are overwhelming, so I think the government should also start beefing up or strengthening our cyber-capability to include cybersecurity,” he further argued.
According to Azurin, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) “have been very visible, very cooperative” in helping the PNP hunt down players in the illicit online cockfighting industry given President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s order to ban the activity.
READ: Marcos Jr. orders continued suspension of e-sabong; calls it urgent reminder
He added that the DICT and the NTC have taken down five online sites that continue to host online cockfighting websites.
“The PNP is closely monitoring 272 platforms, comprising 146 websites, 67 Facebook accounts, 31 Facebook groups, 18 Facebook pages and 10 mobile applications used in online cockfighting activities,” Azurin said.
He bared that 102 online cockfighting platforms have so far been either blocked or taken down, while 76 others were deleted or deactivated.
Azurin also noted that 39 online cockfighting websites, as well as a Facebook page, have likewise been rendered inactive.
“Filipinos should not patronize online cockfighting because it burdens many people with debt. The operators of these activities should moderate their greed too. Do they want to increase their income at the expense of our people?” he said.
Meanwhile, Azurin said he has instructed the Eastern Police District and the National Capital Region Police Office to monitor five people closely–mostly utility vehicle drivers–arrested in Mandaluyong on Sunday while they were about to place their bets in an online cockfighting session. Kimberly D. Albaño, INQUIRER.net intern
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