Azurin orders crackdown vs e-sabong ‘guerrilla’ ops catering mainly to OFWs (Latest Sabong News)

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. on Monday ordered all police commanders to intensify the crackdown against the reported “guerrilla operations” of online sabong . Azurin’s order came as reports indicate some online sabong sites continue to run illegally despite a presidential directive to stop the online gambling activity also locally known as e-sabong. “There was already a presidential order [from former president Rodrigo R. Duterte] to stop all e-sabong activities. But we monitored that there were guerrilla operations of e-sabong until now,” Azurin told reporters in a news briefing at Camp Crame in Quezon City. Then president Duterte issued the order to stop all online sabong operations after the controversial abduction and disappearance of at least 34 cockfighting aficionados. They remain unaccounted for until now. While the major operators of e-sabong have already ceased their operations, there are still some small groups and individuals that continue to use the online platform for cockfighting betting. Azurin said that he also received reports that the guerrilla online sabong operations have been mainly catering to overseas Filipino workers (OFW). “So I directed all units, regional directors, the provincial directors and even the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group [CIDG] and IG [Intelligence Group] to work together to hunt down all these personalities involved in the operations,” he added. While the CIDG has already filed cases against at least 15 personalities in connection with the missing sabungeros, most of the abduction cases remain unsolved. “I took note of recent developments that unfolded in our continuing investigation of 34 persons who have been missing for over a year now. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. no less, has expressed concern on these cases that he ordered the DOJ to get to the bottom of these disappearances of cockfight gamers,” said Azurin. He said the new evidence uncovered by CIDG has led to the filing of criminal charges against two suspects Julie Patidongan a.k.a. Dondon and a John Doe, for the alleged kidnapping of a Bulacan-based gamer in Laguna. “It is only a matter of time before we can eventually crack these cases and prosecute the main actors,” said Azurin, adding he had already added manpower to continue the probe into the cases. “I am making available the services and expertise of all PNP National Support Units to assist CIDG in succeeding investigations in support to parallel efforts of the Department of Justice,” said Azurin. The CIDG filed the charges on Thursday before the National Prosecution Service of the Department of Justice. The charges were based on the complaint of the kin of victim Michael Bautista of Barangay Poblacion 1, Daang Barrio Road, San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, who has been missing since April 28, 2021. “As soon as I assumed the position of Director of CIDG, one of my priorities was the continuous investigation of the missing victims…,”CIDG chief Brig. Gen. Ronald Lee vowed.