PNP targets resurgence of illegal e-sabong operations

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday said it will further enhance its campaign against the resurgence of illegal online cockfighting games, or e-sabong operations, in the country.

“We in the PNP remain focused in the campaign to stop all forms of illegal gambling. In the case of online sabong, there are difficulties that are faced along the way, especially with the evolving nature of cybercrimes,” PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement.

“But we continue to take all these difficulties as a challenge to further improve and come up with new measures to address the problem,” he added.

On Wednesday, some senators criticized law enforcement agencies as online cockfighting operations continue across the country, despite being declared illegal in 2022.

Police commanders down to the city and municipal levels have been directed to assist the Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) for the crackdown against e-sabong, the PNP said.

E-sabong remains banned in the Philippines but authorities have monitored that some operators continue to run “guerrilla” operations online.

Several websites linked to illegal online cockfighting games have already been taken down, according to the PNP.

Nartatez directed police units to trace livestreams, identify operators using virtual private networks (VPNs) and offshore hosting services, and gather actionable intelligence to support coordinated cyber and ground operations.

Financiers and operators behind e-sabong operations are also being identified.

Nartatez encouraged the public to report information related to illegal e-sabong activities and warned police personnel against any involvement in such illegal operations. —VAL, GMA Integrated News