The Philippine National Police (PNP) is poised to heighten its offensive against illegal online cockfighting, saying more “e-sabong” hubs across the country would be dismantled following a major operation in Tondo, Manila.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the recent crackdown was part of the sustained nationwide campaign against organized illegal gambling operations.
“We are intensifying intelligence-driven operations nationwide. This crackdown will continue until these illegal gambling hubs are completely dismantled,” he said.
Police on Tuesday night raided a 24-hour e-sabong operation in Tondo, resulting in the arrest of 172 people.
Nartatez said the operation exposed how illegal betting activities discreetly contined despite the nationwide ban.
President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. issued Executive Order No. 9 in December 2022, reaffirming the nationwide suspension of e-sabong operations and ordering stricter enforcement against illegal gambling activities.
“Illegal e-sabong is a breeding ground for crime. It leads to financial ruin for families and fuels ‘petty crimes’ just to make a bet. It destroys the moral fiber of our community,” Nartatez explained.
“Apart from gambling, these hubs often involve unregulated crowds and tax evasion. It creates an environment where lawlessness thrives, affecting even those who are not playing,” he added.
The PNP is currently conducting nationwide intelligence mapping to locate other networks attempting to hide behind physical coliseums or digital screens.
Nartatez also lauded the CIDG-National Capital Region and the Manila Police District for the successful operation.
Meanwhile, he urged operators of illegal e-sabong to stop their nefarious activities.
“To the operators, stop now because we will find you. We will not stop until your illegal gambling operations are dismantled. You cannot hide behind a screen forever,” he said.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “PNP: More e-sabong hubs to be shut down after Tondo crackdown”
