39 persons nabbed for “online sabong”

CEBU, Philippines —  About 39 individuals believed to be linked to an illegal online betting game were nabbed by the operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-7 last Saturday evening in Barangay Simala, Sibonga, Cebu.

Arrested were tellers Abby Cubar Calilitan, 35, a resident of Masbate City; Shanaia Ibasan Lomogda, 19, a native of Silay, Negros Occidental; John Piator Casana, 23, from Alcoy, Cebu; and cashier Kim Pagapolan Fosagate, 22, a native of Mindanao.

The 35 alleged 'bettors' when the raid was conducted were also arrested.

Seized during the raid were four television sets, four PC monitors, eight printers, four central processing units, seven routers, four adapters, bet receipts and bet money amounting to P3,300.

CIDG-7 Deputy Regional Chief Police Chief Inspector Hector Amancia said that their operation was illegal since the betting is done online.

Based on their surveillance, the bettors, once they arrive in the area, would reportedly enter into a betting platform, where they can place their bets.

"Kung ako sad bettor outside, pwede ra mosulod sa website; pwede nako mo-pledge sa akong bet didto.  What makes it illegal kay what the law requires kanang gi-allow lang sa munisipyo para mo-issue og permit base sa PD 449 kanang traditional cockfighting gyud," Amancia said.

He added that it is possible that a gambling lord owns the “online sabong” because of the high-tech equipment seized from the operation.

Lawyer Julius Ceasar Entise, counsel of the operators, told The FREEMAN that their operation is legal since they have all the documents that would support the legality of its operation.

Among the documents is the Sibonga Municipal Ordinance that the Cebu Provincial Board has approved allowing their mode of betting.

Entise also said that their operation is not online betting, rather an offsite cockpit betting wherein cockfighting in other arenas is broadcasted live in Sibonga.

"We get live video broadcasted in Sibonga.  It is just an innovation of a traditional cockfighting. It is televised, no actual cockfighting on site," Entise said.

The bettors would place their bets and would claim their winnings with the cashier.

"There is no website. I don't think they did surveillance.  But if they did, they should check if the information is correct, probably chismis ra nang naa nila," Entise said.

Entise is confident that the case against his clients would be junked. — GAN (FREEMAN)