From a mere pastime to a "crime-triggering" activity.
Former YACAP Party-list Rep. Carol Lopez gave this rather worrisome description of online cockfighting or e-sabong Thursday, Feb. 24, even as discussions about its regularization continue to split members of the House of Representatives.
“This is no longer just a matter of quick-money-making pastime that Filipinos are fond of but a crime-triggering activity and we all should be alarmed as a society,” Lopez said in a statement.
She was referring to reports saying that at least 30 persons have gone missing after being involved in the activities linked to e-sabong.
According to Lopez, acts such as online gambling are "triggering other terrifying crimes", and that the investigation of these incidents "should be part of the priorities of the government".
The ex-congresswoman says the problem has become so disquieting that it now needs the tough intervention of the government, and fast. "This addiction to e-sabong is another form of pandemic slowly creeping to destroy families and the future of our society, let us not wait a day longer to stop this malaise.”
“We cannot get distracted by the elections, the candidates should give time to oppose the slow but sure rise of e-sabong as a business venture to some but a death sentence to many especially the poor. Let us all fight this,” Lopez said.
Former House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano initially issued a strong statement against e-sabong and called on the government to reconsider its position on the popular online activity.
“The recent incidents of crimes reportedly related to e-sabong are the consequences of allowing this online gambling in the country and the cost is proving to be damaging in many aspects” said Cayetano, who represents Taguig-Pateros 1st district.
Aside from the dissappearance of the 30 gamers, Cayetano also cited other incidents supposedly due to e-sabong including the case of Laguna Patrolman Glenn Angolun. Angolun was arrested on Feb. 21 after robbing a gasoline station in Sto. Tomas, Batangas, apparently because he needed money to pay off his e-sabong debts.
The former Speaker also pointed to the case of 19-year-old Erick John Suelto from Maco, Davao de Oro, who was arrested in Nov. 2021 for failing to pay off his debts from e-sabong.
Filed in Sept. 2021, House Bill (HB) No.10506 aims to grant Visayas Cockers Club, Inc. a 25-year franchise to operate off-site betting stations all over the country.
If the bill comes prospers in Congress, Visayas Cockers Club will be the second licensed e-sabong operator to be granted a 25-year franchise after Lucky 8 Star Quest, Inc. whose franchise to operate was approved also last September.