The Senate is urging the Philippine Amusement Gaming Corp. to stop all activities related to e-sabong until the cases of 31 missing cockfighters have been resolved, according to an official document released Tuesday.
Twenty-three senators signed Senate Resolution 996, which also calls on PAGCOR to suspend the licenses of e-sabong operators as investigations on the missing cockfighters are ongoing.
During the hearing of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs last week, it was revealed that there were six incidents involving 31 individuals who were reported missing by their relatives after they visited cockpit arenas in Manila and Southern Luzon.
Law enforcement agencies said they have difficulty in resolving the cases due to lack or absence of material evidence like CCTV footage, and they expressed concern that there might be more e-sabong-related abductions.
"It appears that the abductions were well-planned and were probably done by trained and organized groups," the Senate resolution read.
Currently, PAGCOR issued licenses to seven e-sabong operators, namely:
- Belvedere Vista Corporation
- Lucky 8 Star Quest Inc.
- Visayas Cockers Club, Inc.
- Jade Entertainment and Gaming Technologies, Inc.
- Newin Cockers Alliance Gaming Corporation
- Philippine Cockfighting International Inc., and
- Golden Buzzer, Inc.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III himself proposed the measure, saying that the licenses issued to these e-sabong operators must be suspended until there is an acceptable conclusion to the case of the missing cockfighters.
The Senate public order panel will resume its inquiry into the missing cockfighters on Friday.
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