Four individuals were arrested after police raided an alleged illegal online cockfighting, or e-sabong, operation in Jimenez, Misamis Occidental. The operation, conducted on June 26, 2026, also led to the closure of the cockfighting arena believed to have served as the base for the illegal online betting activity.
Details of the Raid
In a statement released on Saturday, June 27, 2026, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. confirmed the arrests and the shutdown of the arena. He said the raid was based on intelligence reports indicating that the cockpit in Jimenez was facilitating e-sabong activities through an online platform that catered not only to local bettors but also to Filipinos abroad.
The PNP chief emphasized that e-sabong remains prohibited under Philippine law and warned that police will continue to pursue violators involved in illegal online cockfighting.
Legal Context
The PNP intensified its campaign against underground betting activities after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued Executive Order 9, which prohibits online, remote, and off-cockpit betting on live cockfights, as well as the livestreaming or broadcasting of cockfighting events outside authorized venues. Despite the ban, the PNP noted that some groups continue to operate illegal online cockfighting activities through clandestine operations in various parts of the country.
According to PNP Chief Nartatez, the operation on June 26 was a direct response to these ongoing violations. He reiterated the government's commitment to enforcing the law and cracking down on illegal gambling activities that exploit technology.
