EDITORIAL - A closer look at e-sabong (Latest Sabong News)
Since Jan. 13 this year, at least 31 people have been reported missing after visiting cockpit arenas in Manila and Southern Luzon. Surveillance video footage showed some of the cockfight enthusiasts being herded into vehicles by unidentified persons, after which the sabungeros were not seen or heard from again by their relatives.
Of the 31 missing persons, 23 were last seen at the Sta. Cruz WPM Arena in Sta. Cruz, Laguna, according to senators who began an inquiry last Thursday into the disappearance of the sabungeros. The senators decided to push for a suspension of online cockfights while measures are drawn up to regulate the games.
Senators are also reviewing the authority of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. to issue licenses to e-sabong operators, noting that there is no provision for online cockfights in the PAGCOR charter or Republic Act 9487. PAGCOR has expressed readiness to suspend the operations of the seven e-sabong companies that have been issued licenses so far.
Philippine National Police officials reportedly told the Senate that even PNP members were becoming hooked on e-sabong. Senators were told about a patrolman who was arrested for a string of robberies in Southern Luzon. Upon questioning, the patrolman reportedly admitted that his addiction to e-sabong had made him run up debts amounting to P1 million.
Probers suspect that the missing sabungeros might have been involved in game-fixing. Under the scheme called tyope, a fighting cock is deliberately crippled or given a drug that weakens the fowl before a match. The owner then bets on the opponent. With the amount of bets involved, those who suspect that they have been cheated can retaliate with violence.
Apart from searching for the missing cockfight enthusiasts and catching those behind the disappearances, authorities must speed up the crafting of policy and regulation of e-sabong and other online gaming activities. Any undertaking that enjoys little or no regulation is prone to abuse, with the state unable to get a rightful share in the profits. That kind of money can easily be funneled to illegal activities, including corrupt practices, kidnapping and murder.
