Senate Committee Demands Physical Raids on Illegal Online Sabong Operations
The Senate Committee on Games and Amusement has issued a strong directive to law enforcement agencies, emphasizing the need for physical raids on illegal online sabong hubs rather than merely blocking websites. During its third public hearing, the committee highlighted that targeting the physical infrastructure of these gambling operations is crucial for effective enforcement.
Targeting the Source: Physical Hubs in Key Regions
Committee chair Senator Erwin Tulfo stressed that authorities must focus on shutting down cockpits and makeshift backyard setups where cockfights are filmed and streamed online. He specifically identified regions such as Central Luzon, the Cordillera region, and Calabarzon as hotspots for these illegal activities. "Online sabong is already a problem... The only way to take this down is to go to the towns where there are cockpits and ongoing cockfights," Tulfo stated, urging a hands-on approach to dismantle the operations at their source.
Enforcement Actions and Compliance Reports
Senator Tulfo called on the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to issue directives for raiding identified locations. Key actions include:
- Stopping live filming operations at these hubs.
- Confiscating equipment used for streaming cockfights.
- Submitting compliance reports to the committee before convening a technical working group.
He argued that simply blocking websites is insufficient because the source of the streamed fights remains operational, allowing the illegal gambling networks to continue their activities unabated.
Going After Kingpins and Financiers
Senator Raffy Tulfo pressed authorities to intensify efforts against alleged financiers and gambling kingpins, criticizing the current enforcement focus on small operators. "Yes, you have taken down some e-sabong sites, but those are small-time operators... yet you cannot take down the biggest one in the country," he remarked. He questioned why intelligence information pointing to large-scale operations in Central Luzon has not led to arrests and urged law enforcement to file appropriate criminal cases against those behind these networks.
Legal Framework and Agency Response
Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) Chair Alejandro Tengco reiterated that Executive Order 9, signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., remains in effect and prohibits the issuance of licenses for online sabong. "EO No. 9 is currently in effect as a law... we have no authority to issue any kind of license to anyone," Tengco affirmed, reinforcing the legal basis for the crackdown. PNP and NBI officials have signified compliance with the committee's call for immediate action, promising to step up enforcement efforts.
Expected Outcomes and Legislative Measures
The Senate panel expects concrete enforcement results before proceeding with further legislative measures. These include:
- The closure of identified filming hubs for illegal online sabong.
- The filing of cases against operators and financiers involved in these gambling networks.
This proactive stance aims to curb the proliferation of illegal online sabong by addressing both the physical and organizational aspects of the operations, ensuring a more comprehensive approach to gambling regulation in the Philippines.
