At least 18 people were arrested in the province of Cebu as the Philippine National Police (PNP) continue to implement the order of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to put a stop on the operations of online cockfighting, or e-sabong, across the country.
PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin, Jr. said that their goal is to identify and account all those who continue to run guerrilla operations of online sabong which was already ordered stop early last year by then president Rodrigo Duterte due to addiction of the players that include minors and amid reports that those who were addicted were engaging in illegal activities that include robbery.
Last year, a handful of policemen were collared for robbery and other illegal activities as a result of addiction to online sabong.
"The Executive Order No. 9 issued by President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr, ordering the continued suspension of e-sabong activities, is being vigorously implemented by police units nationwide," said Azurin.
He said that in Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu, a total of 17 people were arrested in Barangay Ibo on Jan. 13 while in the act of engaging in illegal cockfight games which was streamed live through mobile phone apps.
Azurin said another suspected e-sabong operator was arrested in Barangay Bugho in San Fernando, Cebu by operatives of the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit 7.
"Seven other suspects involved in that e-sabong operation eluded arrest. The arresting team seized various electronic equipment used in the livestreaming of cockfight games, and cash bets," said Azurin.
He said they are now coordinating with various government agencies, including those with information technology capability, to run after operators of online sabong.