Underground e-sabong hub busted in Pandi, Bulacan

Make this your preferred source to get more updates from this publisher on Google.

An underground e-sabong (online cockfighting) hub was busted in Pandi, Bulacan, where authorities confiscated around P10 million worth of equipment.

In an exclusive “24 Oras” report by John Consulta on Friday, the e-sabong operation was found to be operating out of two studios during raids conducted by the Regional Special Operations Group and other police units in Central Luzon.

“Yung manok pinapatong doon sa isang round table, then walang tari. Ang laban dito is kung sino’ yung unang mahuhulog sa lamesa, ‘yun ang matatalo,” Police Regional Office 3 Regional Director P/BGen Jess Mendez said.

(The roosters are placed on a round table, without gaffs. The match is decided by whichever rooster falls off the table first—that one loses.)

The e-sabong livestream was broadcast not only in the Philippines, but also reached other countries, such as Mexico, Vietnam, and Cambodia.

The raiding team found over 500 cockfighting roosters in cages at the site, while 21 men were arrested during the operation.

“May kanya-kanyang tasking. Merong taga-hawak ng manok before the livestream, merong taga-monitor dito sa kabilang side doon sa respective computers nila. Then meron ding mga taga-alaga ng manok,” Mendez explained.

(They had assigned roles. Some held the roosters before the livestream, others monitored the operations on their respective computers on the other side, and some were tasked with taking care of the roosters.)

Authorities said multiple charges will be filed against the suspects, who have yet to issue a statement.

“Isa-subject muna natin ‘yung nakuha nating equipment, mag-a-apply tayo ng search warrant to examine ‘yung mga desktops. Then fa-file-an din natin sila ng… [violations under the] anti-cockfighting law kasi wala silang permit,” Mendez said.

(We will first subject the seized equipment to forensic examination by applying for a search warrant to examine the desktops. We will also file charges against them for violations under the anti-cockfighting law since they operated without a permit.) —Lyjah Tiffany Bonzo/LDF, GMA News