The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) has launched a stronger campaign against illegal online cockfighting, or online sabong or e-sabong, as part of its efforts to address cybercrime in the country.
The agency described illegal online sabong as a growing threat not only to cybersecurity but also to the country’s social stability.
“This is not just about gambling,” said Atty. Renato Paraiso, deputy executive director of CICC. “This is about organized cybercrime, financial fraud, and the exploitation of digital loopholes that allow illicit activities to thrive.”
CICC, which operates under the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), said it has improved its surveillance and digital forensics tools to address various online crimes, including scams, child sexual exploitation, identity theft, and unregulated gambling.
The agency said its goal is not simply to condemn these practices, but to take direct action to stop them.
Still, Paraiso cautioned against a blanket ban on online gambling, saying that stricter regulation would be a better solution.
“The recent incident involving online sabong proves one important thing: if we push for an outright prohibition, we risk driving even legitimate platforms underground. That would only lead to a prolonged cat-and-mouse game between law enforcement and off-grid digital operators,” he said.
“A regulated, transparent system with the strictest rules and clear guardrail is the more effective deterrent,” he added.
He said the recent developments affirm the agency’s current strategy, which targets syndicates behind illegal platforms while supporting legal compliance among regulated operators.
Paraiso also urged legislators and regulators to develop a fair legal framework that can crack down on unlawful practices without slowing down progress in digital entertainment and financial technology.
“This is no longer just a legal issue. It is a governance issue, an ethical issue, and a national security issue,” he said.