MANILA – The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) will comply with the directive of Philippine National Police (PNP) officer-in-charge, Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr., to crack down on operators who continue to flout the suspension order of President Rodrigo Duterte on e-sabong (online or electronic cockfighting) operations.
Maj. Gen. Eliseo DC Cruz, CIDG chief, has ordered full police operations against e-sabong immediately after receiving reports that at least six still exist.
He said the Special Operating Units down to the Regional and Provincial Field Units of the CIDG began with its monitoring and case build-up on websites and social media platforms allegedly involved in the illegal activity.
Prior to the directive of Danao, the CIDG already conducted numerous police operations against e-sabong since March 2022.
To date, 41 individuals were arrested and 9 criminal cases were filed.
While the all-out war against e-sabong operation is being heightened, Cruz emphasized that the CIDG will not fall back down nor lose track and keep its thorough investigation going on the missing cockfighting aficionados.
Cases were already filed on the kidnapping and serious illegal detention of John Claude Inonog and five others in Sta. Ana, Manila, and of Ricardo Ricafort Lasco in San Pablo City, Laguna.
Department of the Interior and Local Government Undersecretary and spokesperson Jonathan Malaya asked the help of the public in putting a stop to illegal operations.
“We urge the public to immediately contact your nearest police station if you know where the studios of these illegal e-sabong operations are so we can put a stop to it. If you also know who the operators are, please contact your nearest police station or CIDG office,” he said in a statement.
He warned of the risks on betting on online platforms because they may be unregulated and one is never sure if the winnings will be remitted.
PNP spokesperson, Col. Jean Fajardo, similarly warned illegal e-sabong operators and bettors to completely cease operations or they will face the full force of the law.
She said PNP cybercrime units are closely coordinating with other authorities not only for cyber patrolling in active e-sabong sites but in preparing arrests as well.
“They already identified initially anim na illegal e-sabong sites na nag-o-operate (six illegal e-sabong sites that are operating),” she told reporters during a press conference at Camp Crame, Quezon City on Wednesday.
The PNP had also requested social media providers to take down the sites but it may take two more weeks.
They are now coordinating with the service providers to identify the operators of the illegal sites. (PNA)
