GAB employee, 4 others nabbed at online sabong operation

An employee of the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) and four others were arrested  after they were found taking part in an illegal online cockfighting operation or e-sabong in Parañaque City, according to Emil Sumangil’s “24 Oras” report on Friday.

Members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) caught them in an eatery while watching e-sabong in Barangay Sto. Niño.

“May nakita kaming ID taga-GAB ng Parañaque, eh yun ang iniimbestiga namin kung bakit siya nandoon. Ang katwiran niya is kumakain lang siya don, sabi ko ang dami namang kainan dyan sa Parañaque bakit dyan ka pa kumakain? Tapos taga GAB ka dapat kayo yung nagbabawal dyan kasi alam niyo namang bawal yung online sabong,” Police Lieutenant Colonel Mark Gatdula, chief of CIDG Southern Metro Manila, said.

(We found an ID from GAB in Parañaque, that's why we're investigating why he was there. His reason was that he was just eating there, I said there are so many restaurants in Parañaque. Why are you eating there? If you are from GAB, you should be the one restricting it because you know that online cockfighting is suspended.)

The suspects refused to make a comment.

Police surmised the eatery doubles as a betting station after paraphernalia related to e-sabong were found in the area.

“Pinapasahan sila ng link, pinakita rin sa amin sa video through cellphone na mayroon ngang link na pinapasa. Ang hindi namin alam kung saan yung mismong operation nung sabong na yun kasi masyadong secluded yung area,” Gatdula said.

(They were being forwarded with a link, it was shown on video through cellphone that there is a link being forwarded. What we don't know is where the actual operation of that cockfight is because the area is very secluded.)

The CIDG has coordinated with the anti-cybercrime group to take down the Facebook page and site of those streaming e-sabong.

“Ang front nila is bilyaran pero magtataka kasi yung meron silang billboard na bilyaran at online sabong which is pinagbawal na ng gobyerno eh,” Gatdula said.

(They make the venue appear as a billiards hall, but one will wonder because there is also a billboard advertising the online sabong.

The suspects will face charges for violation of Presidential Decree No. 1602 or Anti-illegal Gambling Law.—Richa Noreiga/ LDF, GMA News