AT LEAST two gambling operators were arrested for organizing live cockfighting (e-sabong) games in Barangay Calajoan, Minglanilla town, southern Cebu on Friday, Sept. 16, 2022.
The suspects, identified as Carlos Uy Gothong III, also known as Jun Gothong, and Sergio Santos Lu, alias Dong Dong Ong, were tagged as the owners of The Amenic N’ Calajoan Cockpit in the area.
Thirty-two e-sabong employees were also arrested during the operation conducted by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation in Central Visayas (NBI 7).
The NBI 7 agents also confiscated P2.6 million cash, video equipment and computers amounting to P2 million used in online gambling.
The NBI said the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) has issued a certification that the e-sabong joint has no permit to operate.
The suspects will be facing charges for violation of Republic Act 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, and Presidential Decree 449 (Cockfighting Law of 1974).
The suspects underwent inquest proceedings at the Cebu Provincial Prosecutor’s Office on Monday, Sept. 19, 2022.
After the charges were filed in court, each of the operators and employees were allowed to post bail of P72,000 for their temporary liberty. (TPT)