121 nabbed  for online sabong

CEBU, Philippines —  More than a hundred individuals believed to be e-sabong bettors were arrested during a week of anti-illegal gambling operations conducted by the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO).

Police Colonel Ireneo Dalogdog, chief of the CCPO, said they have continuously conducted operations against the illegal game since they received a directive from the national headquarters to intensify the campaign against online sabong.

This was after about 34 individuals went missing in an alleged e-sabong-related abduction in May this year. The incident also led former President Rodrigo Duterte to permanently suspend all e-sabong operations in the country.

From December 5 to 10 last week, the CCPO conducted 38 operations and arrested 121 individuals, mostly bettors.

Dalogdog clarified that they have not monitored any operating betting stations in Cebu City since e-sabong operations were suspended, but he said most of the bettors play the game using an e-sabong app through their laptops and smartphones.

"Minsan doon sa mga legitimate cockpit arena through live streaming," said Dalogdog.

He reiterated that the cockpit arenas are situated outside Cebu City.

He stated that all major e-sabong operators have ceased from doing the activity since it was banned and the remaining operations stem from small or "guerrilla" operators.

He also said the PNP Regional Anti- Cybercrime Unit recommended that they coordinate with the telecommunication companies to track down all illegal e-sabong websites to permanently abolish the activity.

He reminded the public of the bad effects of playing the illegal game, while he welcomed the support of the Cebu City government, particularly intensifying legal measures against the illegal game.

"Pag ikaw ay nalulong sa sugal lalong lalo na dito sa e-sabong...napakalaking ikadulot na masamang epekto nito lalo na sa mga may pamilya," said Dalogdog.

"Unang una pag wala kanang pang sugal pwede kanang mag benta ng mga gamit mo sa bahay, pwede kanang mag loan...yung mga mag-asawa pwedeng mag-away dahil sa gastos dun sa pangsugal," he added. — Robhe Jane Yara and Romeo D. Marantal, FPL (FREEMAN)