THE Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (CIDG) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) arrested 172 people in a raid on an illegal operation of online cockfighting (e-sabong) at Vitas Coliseum in Tondo, Manila, on Tuesday, March 24.
During the raid, authorities apprehended bettors, management personnel, gaffers and bet takers. They seized several pieces of evidence, including 45 sets of computers and three tripod cameras.
Of the 172 suspects, 132 were released to their families, who were at the CIDG’s legal department. The remaining suspects were being held for inquest proceedings at the Manila Police District.
Detained suspects face charges for violation of PD 1602 (Illegal Gambling) in relation to RA 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012).
In the Philippines, e-sabong is prohibited, primarily due to severe social ills arising from gambling addiction, including indebtedness and criminality, such as the controversial disappearance of cockfight enthusiasts linking fugitive gaming tycoon Charlie "Atong" Ang as the mastermind.
The ban, initially ordered by former president Rodrigo Duterte in May 2022, continued under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s administration.
Col. John Guiagui, regional director of CIDG National Capital Region, said the online sabong operates non-stop, with each fight lasting two to three minutes.
In contrast, an in-person or traditional cockfight lasts at least 30 minutes.
“The online sabong operations last 24 hours a day, even without bettors physically present,” Guiagui told reporters.
Bettors place their bets through an online link called “Sabong VIP,” ranging from P100 to P1,000.
Despite overwhelming evidence, management denied their operations. However, CIDG operatives showed videos as proof.
Each cockfight yields at least P300,000 in bets.
“The very nature of the cockfight is already questionable. That's why we arrested the management staff because they may know about this,” Guiagui said.