8 men nabbed for e-sabong

CEBU, Philippines —  Eight men who were allegedly playing "e-sabong" (online cockfight) at Sitio Ermita Proper, Barangay Ermita, Cebu City, were arrested by the police.

The arrest happened last Monday evening, after a concerned resident sought the assistance of the Carbon Police Station 5 claiming that several of his neighbors in the area were playing the illegal game.

Caught in the act were Mario Ambi Mabanag, Juden Alcos Tugbong, Michael Dingcong Ramas, John Alonso Palermo, Joel Ramas Rasonable, Cesario Eupe Palermo, Terso Baculpo Esdrilon, and Esgani Gabison Membrebem.

Recovered from them was cash amounting to P2,400, which was suspected to be the bet money and one computer set.

In an interview, Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Director, Police Colonel Ireneo Dalogdog, said the arrest of the suspects was part of the intensified operations against e-sabong by the Philippine National Police.

The former president had ordered the immediate end of online cockfighting operations, stressing the revenue collected from the game was not worth the social damage it caused.

Dalogdog said that no e-sabong outlets have re-opened in Cebu and that the eight suspects arrested played through their personal means.

"Actually bago sila nag conduct ug operation aning e-sabong kadtung mga previous nga mga pwesto bitaw sa kadtung sa mga e-sabong atung gipa-check ug utro kun naa bay ning balik, pero wala. So far, closed na gyud mga previous outlets sa e-sabong operation," said Dalogdog.

The suspects will face charges for violating Presidential Decree 1602 (Illegal Gambling) and Sec. 6 of Republic Act 10175 or Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. — Robhe Jane Yara with Romeo Marantal, GAN (FREEMAN)