Carlos: PNP's ‘no take policy’ covers online sabong

The Philippine National Police said on Monday that its “no-take policy” on any illegal activities also meant zero tolerance when it came to online sabong (cockfights).

“Online or ‘yung actual sabong, I already said wala kaming ano diyan. Ibig sabihin, nag-declare na tayo ng ‘no take policy’ making sure na hindi natin tino-tolerate itong mga illegal gambling activities,” PNP Chief Police General Dionardo Carlos said in a press conference.

(We don’t tolerate it, may it be online or an actual cockfight. We have already declared a "no take policy" to ensure that we don’t tolerate these kinds of illegal gambling activities.)

He said that should the government decide to regulate online sabong, the PNP would help in the implementation.

“So ‘yung sugal, kapag hindi ‘yan covered ng regulatory body, then it becomes illegal. Kaya kung ireregulate yan ng tamang ahensya, ‘yung pagpapatupad po nung batas na ‘yan o ng resolution na ‘yan, we are very much willing to help because ‘yun nga po, iisang gobyerno. Lahat ho tayo nagsasama-sama para maibigay natin yung serbisyo sa atin pong mamamayan,” he said in a press conference.

(If the type of gambling is not covered by a regulatory body, then it becomes illegal. If it will be regulated by the right agency, then we are very much willing to help because we are under one government. We come together to give service to our countrymen.)

On November 17, The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) called on the public to bring to the gaming regulator’s attention online cockfighting or e-sabong websites accessible for betting overseas.

“We request the public to report to PAGCOR those websites which are accessible abroad for our proper disposition,” PAGCOR said in a statement.

The gaming regulator made the statement amid “emerging concern on the active participation of our overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the said games.”

“Offshore betting, or bets coming from players abroad, even if from Filipinos, are not allowed in e-sabong,” it said.

The gaming regulator said that its regulatory framework states that the e-sabong platform shall not accept bets emanating from outside the Philippines and shall not be accessible in any way whatsoever outside the Philippines.

This framework would also bolster the need to uphold the welfare of people who may succumb to the ills of irresponsible gaming by providing administrative penalties on operators who fail to comply with set standards and requirements. — DVM, GMA News