Thirty individuals were arrested in a joint law enforcement operation against an illegal online cockfighting or “e-sabong” facility, allegedly financed by fugitive gambling tycoon Atong Ang, in Sitio Catamnan 2, Barangay Concepcion, Talisay City, Negros Occidental, early Thursday, April 23.
City Mayor Rowena Lizares said the operation was prompted by a tip alleging an illegal e-sabong operation financed by Atong Ang and other Chinese nationals.
“All other operations remain secret for it to be operated [by the authorities] well,” she said.
Among the arrested, Lizares said only three were from the city, one was a minor, and the rest were from different localities in Luzon.
Authorities seized 290 cockfighting gaffs, fighting cocks, and items believed to have been used in the illegal operation, including computer sets, laptops, routers, 26 mobile phones, multiple video cameras with tripods, three Starlink satellite receivers, and other paraphernalia used for online betting and cockfighting broadcasts.
Lizares said the operation was a welcome development, as it also involved the recovery of more than 200 fightingcocks, which the authorities were trying to connect to the burglary in the city.
“Sure enough, the LGU of Talisay will be more vigilant in watching over the illegal gambling, including the burglary of fighting cocks,” she said.
Lizares added that inside the facility, appearances like Vietnam and Thailand can also be seen, “as if you are in another place, but in Talisay.”
Investigators said the suspects were allegedly caught in the act of operating a covert e-sabong hub, where cockfights were live-streamed using cameras and digital devices to facilitate remote betting.
The operation, led by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) under its flagship campaign “Oplan Bolilyo,” with support from other police and law enforcement units, was carried out from 1:00 am to 11:30 am.
The arrested individuals are facing charges for violating Presidential Decree 1602 (Illegal Gambling) in relation to Republic Act 10175, the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
All suspects were taken into police custody for documentation and inquest proceedings, while appropriate charges are being prepared for filing in court.
Authorities said they will intensify operations against illegal gambling activities, particularly those using digital platforms to evade law enforcement.*
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, contributes to Negros Daily Bulletin, and maintains a blog on Medium.