By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday signaled a broader offensive against illegal online cockfighting, warning that more “e-sabong” hubs will be dismantled after a major raid in Tondo, Manila.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the crackdown is part of a sustained nationwide campaign against organized illegal gambling.
“We are intensifying intelligence-driven operations nationwide,” he said in a statement. “This crackdown will continue until these illegal gambling hubs are completely dismantled.”
Nartatez said the PNP is conducting nationwide intelligence mapping to locate networks operating in coliseums or online.
This comes after authorities raided a 24-hour e-sabong operation in Tondo on Tuesday night, arresting over 170 individuals.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. issued Executive Order No. 9 in December 2022, directing the continued suspension of e-sabong operations nationwide.
Apart from gambling, Nartatez said e-sabong hubs often involve unregulated crowds and tax evasion.
“It creates an environment where lawlessness thrives, affecting even those who are not playing,” he said. (PNA)
