NCRPO to enforce Duterte’s order stopping e-sabong

MANILA, Philippines — The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said yesterday it would implement President Duterte’s directive to stop the operations of e-sabong.

NCRPO director Maj. Gen. Felipe Natividad said they support Duterte’s stand against online cockfight operations, adding the Philippine National Police (PNP) is strongly against all forms of gambling.

PNP chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos had warned police not to engage in e-sabong, according to Natividad.

“We have been inspecting the cell phones of police personnel to ensure their compliance with this order,” the NCRPO chief said.

“The NCRPO will make sure that no operations of e-sabong exist in Metro Manila. This is a stern call to all police commanders to see that this order is being carried out,” Natividad said.

“Those who will not follow will face the full force of the law to be enforced by the NCRPO. So I call on everyone to stop engaging in online sabong,” he added.

Weeks after rejecting calls for the abolition of e-sabong because of the revenue generated by the government from its operations, Duterte on Monday decided to stop online cockfight upon the recommendation of the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año ordered the PNP to arrest violators of the President’s directive.

Police officers in Metro Manila and Laguna have been linked to the cases of at least 34 missing cockfight players.

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., which issues licenses to operators of e-sabong, also vowed to comply with the order.