The Philippine National Police (PNP) has further intensified the monitoring of various online platforms and mobile applications that could be used in the continuous operations of electronic sabong which was already declared illegal by the government.
PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin, Jr. said the instruction to its Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) is to take down as many sites that are being used in the guerrilla operations of online sabong.
The latest report, according to Azurin, is that there were already 236 websites, Facebook pages, chat groups and accounts that have already been taken down as a result of the ACG monitoring.
"The PNP is acting decisively to stem the root of this sabong-related controversy with continued vigilance against online sabong activities. At present, ACG is closely monitoring other online platforms and mobile applications catering this e-sabong game," said Azurin.
The continuous crackdown on online sabong came as the PNP tries to locate the six security personnel of the Manila Arena which was tagged in the kidnapping of cockfighting players in January last year.
A total of 34 cockfighting players, including a master agent abducted in Laguna and those forcibly taken at the Manila Arena, are yet to be accounted for.
Negotiations with the family of the six Manila Arena security guards identified as Julie A. Patidongon alias “Dondon,” 45; Mark Carlo Zabala, 29; Roberto G. Matillano Jr., 54; Johnry R. Consolacion, 33; Virgilio P. Bayog, 44; and Gleer Codilla alias Gler Cudilla, for their surrender.
Each of them carries P1 million reward, with the PNP saying their cooperation is instrumental in the solution of the cases of missing sabungero especially that the police are now eyeing that their abductions were committed by one group.
"I would like to emphasize that the offer of reward aims to hasten the arrest of these wanted persons by encouraging the public to provide information that will lead to the arrest of these fugitives," said Azurin.