Cyber cops nab 6 ‘e-sabong’ gamblers in Pasig
SIX men allegedly engaged in illegal “online sabong” were arrested by agents of the Philippine National Police-Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) in Pasig City on Tuesday, a report to PNP-ACG Director Brigadier General Joel B. Doria said.
Major Ely Compuesto II, an officer of the Eastern Anti-Cybercrime Team (EACT), said the six were caught in the act of betting in an “E-Sabong” game being played in a merchandise store in Barangay Pinagbuhatan in Pasig City at 3:45 p.m. Tuesday.
Online sabong, a cockfighting game online that was previously regulated by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor), has been recently declared “unlawful” due to the harmful effects brought about by people becoming addicted to it.
Compuesto said a tip from a concerned citizen triggered the arrest of the suspects.
“After receiving the report, we conducted surveillance and validation to check the veracity of the information. During the police operation, the suspects were caught in the act of betting online using the cellphone of one of the suspects,” he said.
Three suspects were tricycle drivers, a jeepney driver, a motor shop owner, and one who was described by the EACT officer as an “STL collector” were arrested during the operation.
The six will be facing charges for violation of Presidential Decree 1602 in relation to Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
“Once again, we would like to remind the public to refrain from engaging in online sabong. Kailanman, wala pong magandang maidudulot ang sugal sa ating pamumuhay,” Doria said.
