The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) announced on Wednesday that since 2023, a total of 52,847 domains and sub-domains linked to e-sabong, or online cockfighting, have been shut down.
The closure of these domains forms part of an ongoing effort by Philippine authorities to combat illegal e-sabong operations. CICC Director Alvin Navarro addressed the House committee on human rights, acknowledging the rapid emergence of new sites, which complicates efforts to implement a comprehensive ban on e-sabong-related domains.
The committee convened with representatives from the CICC, the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to discuss the crackdown on these operations and address the unresolved issue of the so-called missing sabungeros.
DOJ Assistant Secretary Eliseo Cruz reported the recovery of 401 skeletal remains by the Philippine Coast Guard from 17 locations since July 10. Many of these remains were found weighted down with sandbags. Cruz also noted that the CIDG has filed numerous complaints with the DOJ, including charges of enforced disappearance, multiple counts of kidnapping, serious illegal detention, murder, obstruction of justice, graft, and corruption of public officials, as well as violations of the New Philippine Passport Act.
CHR Director Jasmin Regino informed the panel that her agency conducted a motu proprio investigation into the disappearance of 34 sabungeros, engaging with families and providing financial assistance. She stated that while the cases were initially closed in 2022 due to a lack of leads, they have been reopened in light of new developments and the emergence of a whistle-blower providing additional information