Pagcor 'OK' with suspending e-sabong ops as probe of 34 missing persons continues
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 24) — The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) said it is "okay" with temporarily suspending the operations of seven licensed e-sabong (online cockfighting) groups at the request of the Senate, to give way to an ongoing investigation into the disappearance of 34 individuals.
The seven e-sabong operators licensed by Pagcor are Belvedere Vista Corporation, Lucky 8 Star Quest, Visayas Cockers Club, Jade Entertainment and Gaming Technologies, Newin Cockers Alliance Gaming Corporation, Philippine Cockfighting International, and Golden Buzzer.
During the hearing, the panel adopted a motion to issue a resolution seeking the suspension of online cockfighting as it is currently looking into reports of 34 individuals allegedly linked to e-sabong activities who have been reported missing as early as April last year.
The committee earlier counted six cases involving 31 missing individuals in Laguna, Manila, Bulacan and Rizal with the most recent case reported in January. But later in the afternoon, two more cases emerged with three more people reported missing in Bulacan and Laguna. Some of these were e-sabong players, "master agents" or recruiters, and drivers.
No CCTVs
Among the patterns that senators noticed from speaking to relatives of the missing persons and hearing reports of local police was the lack of CCTV cameras installed in some of the arenas.
Pagcor explained that its jurisdiction over ensuring the installation of security cameras only covers off-cockpit betting stations, not cockpit arenas.
Committee chairman Sen. Bato dela Rosa moved to call over representatives from the Business Permit and Licensing Offices of the aforementioned provinces and city to explain the lack of surveillance equipment.
Sen. Francis Tolentino also suggested asking e-wallet provider GCash to remove from its menu the e-sabong payment option, but Pagcor said that is not within the agency's jurisdiction. Jogno explained that the accreditation of payment systems is under the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.
Police also said that among the motives they are looking at is double-crossing through "game-fixing" which in cockfighting terms, means deliberately putting a fighting cock at a disadvantage to ensure its loss against its opponent.
Relatives of the missing individuals sought help and appealed to those who allegedly abducted their loved ones to return them to their families.
"Mahigit na isang buwan na. Sana naman nakikiusap kami na sinuman ang kumuha, na sana ibalik ang aming mga anak," said Mario Velasco, the father of Mark Joseph Velasco, who was reported missing since Jan. 13.
[Translation: It's been more than a month. We are asking those who took our children to please give them back to us.]
