PNP calls on Congress to include online cockfighting among illegal gambling activities

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 30) – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said it has recommended the inclusion of e-sabong or online cockfighting in the list of illegal gambling activities under Presidential Decree 1602 or the country’s anti-illegal gambling law.

The PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group has recommended the measure in its consultation with Congress, PNP Chief General Rodolfo Azurin reported in a press briefing.

The agency also proposed sanctions against service providers that will fail to block e-sabong websites.

“We have dedicated law enforcement agencies. As a matter of fact makikita mo, even NTC, and DICT very visible and cooperative sa PNP sa paghabol sa direktiba ng pangulo under EO 9 na patigilin ang proliferation ng e-sabong,” the police chief said.

[Translation: We have dedicated law enforcement agencies. As a matter of fact you can see, even NTC, and DICT are very visible and cooperative with the PNP in pursuing the president's directive under EO 9 to stop the proliferation of e-sabong.]

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., in EO 9 issued in December last year, ordered the continued suspension of the livestreaming or broadcasting of cockfights outside cockpits, cockfighting arenas, or other premises where cockfights are being held.

EO 9 also tasked the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation to coordinate with local government units, other concerned government agencies and private entities on the implementation of the order.

Meanwhile, the PNP also admitted that the agency is having a hard time dealing with the technology, hence the delay in the progress of e-sabong cases.

“Honestly nahihirapan ang PNP sa pagsugpo ng e-sabong. It’s more on technology," Azurin said.

[Translation: Honestly, the PNP is having a hard time suppressing e-sabong. It's more on technology.]

Azurin added that people involved in e-sabong are “well financed with overwhelming resources.”

He said the government should strengthen the country’s cyber capability stop technology-driven crimes.