7 e-sabong websites shut down (Sabong News)
Author
Christian Crow Maghanoy
Date
MAY 25 2022
AT least seven illegal e-sabong websites were shut down following a crackdown ordered by Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año.
Interior Spokesman and Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya explained the Philippine National Police's (PNP) Anti-CyberCrime Group (ACG) is investigating the administrators of these websites so that charges can be filed appropriately.
"These criminals thrive on the anonymity of the internet and they are taking advantage of this but the PNP together with our colleagues from the National Bureau of Investigation will not rest until they have been unmasked," he told the media on Wednesday.
He said the police are conducting cyber patrolling operations to find websites, applications, and social media platforms that are operating illegally despite the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte.
"Another 12 websites and 8 social media platforms were monitored by the PNP Anti-CyberCrime Group to be operating illegally and we are coordinating with the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) for these websites to be shut down," he said.
Of the 12 websites, only two were registered in the Philippines while the rest are located in other countries.
Malaya said they have also discovered several Facebook pages and groups that are promoting e-sabong by providing their clients with a link.
"Once you open the link, you will be able to register and create an account to log-in," he said. "It's very easy to register so even minors are able to access the sites freely."
Malaya said that they have also requested Meta, the parent company of Facebook, to immediately delete or suspend the pages in FB devoted to e-sabong.
He said that since the mode of payment and cash-out is through GCash and other platforms, they will also request the assistance of Globe in putting a stop to the use of its platform for illegal purposes.
"These illegal e-sabong companies are operating without licenses or franchises from the national or local governments and are not remitting a single peso in revenue to the state," he said.