The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) announced an intensified effort to eradicate "online sabong," or off-grid cockfighting matches, as part of a broader crackdown on cybercrime platforms.
This declaration follows public outcry after a video went viral showing a legislator allegedly engaging in online gaming on his mobile phone during the House of Representatives' opening session.
Media reports, accompanied by photos, indicated the lawmaker was allegedly watching live-streamed cockfight matches. The concerned House member has since admitted to the allegation and issued an apology.
Atty. Renato Paraiso, CICC’s deputy executive director, confirmed the agency's mission to eliminate these off-grid matches, calling them a growing threat to the country's cybersecurity and social fabric.
"This is not just about gambling. This is about organized cybercrime, financial fraud, and the exploitation of digital loopholes that allow illicit activities to thrive," Paraiso said. "We are not merely condemning the act. We are acting decisively to root it out."
However, Paraiso clarified his position, stating that a total ban on online gambling platforms is not the solution. Instead, he advocates for stringent regulation, transparency, and accountability.
"The recent incident in the House 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 stressed. "A regulated, transparent system with the strictest rules and clear guardrails is the more effective deterrent.”
The viral footage of the lawmaker has sparked widespread criticism, prompting swift action from CICC leadership. Paraiso said the agency views the incident as a stark reminder of how deeply embedded unregulated online gambling has become, even within the country’s halls of power.
"We see this not only as a wake-up call but as a validation of our current strategy. Eradication efforts must focus on syndicates running illegal platforms, while also ensuring that regulated operations are fully compliant with the law," he added.
On order of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the CICC, an agency under the DICT, has ramped up surveillance and digital forensics capabilities to combat evolving cybercrimes, with a particular focus on online scams, child sexual exploitation, identity theft, and illicit online gambling.
Paraiso also urged lawmakers and regulators to work together in crafting a balanced legal framework that would penalize illegal actors without stifling innovation 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," said Paraiso.