10 arrested in QC for e-sabong

At least 10 persons were arrested in Quezon City over their alleged involvement in the operations of an online cockfighting or e-sabong firm.

According to John Consulta's report on "24 Oras" on Friday, agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) raided a cockfighting pit  reportedly operating e-sabong games in Novaliches through a search warrant.

Recovered from the area are monitors, cameras, Wi-fi routers which are supposedly used for the illegal gambling.

"When we entered this place, there are already positive indications that they are going online. We have discovered gadgets which is evident of online sabong talaga. They are using internet. Why would they use internet kung hindi online yun?" NBI-NCR lawyer Ferdinand Manuel said.

"Makikita mo na dito. Yung traditional sabong does not employ these types of gadgets," Manuel said.

The manager of the cockfighting pit denied the allegations.

"Yung camera po namin para lang po dito sa baba. Sa mga tao na hindi makakaakyat sa taas," cockpit manager Rose Altamirano said.

"Wala po kaming broadcast. Kahit putulin po internet namin, wala po kayong maaano samin... kahit po ituloy ang laban. Wala po yan," she added.

Apart from the arrests, the NBI said it will recommend the closure of the arena.—Sundy Locus/LDF, GMA Integrated News