THE Senate can conduct its own investigation on the issue of missing cockfight betters (“sabungeros”).
According to Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, chair of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, he will file a resolution for the Senate to investigate the matter if it continues to be unresolved.
He also asked for a probe on the alarming effects of cockfight betting, particularly “e-sabong” or online cockfight betting on the lives of many Filipinos who became addicted to it, including its effects on peace and order in the country.
He said the Senate’s investigation will be in the aid of legislation, to help create, discard or amend laws.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) earlier reported that there were about 30 cockfight betters that were apparently kidnapped and reported to have disappeared after coming from cockfights held in Laguna, Manila and Batangas.
The police have already created a special investigation task force to investigate the case.
Sen. dela Rosa believes that the PNP is doing its best to resolve the issue but is encouraging them to double time on their efforts.
Before this, Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel already said that there should be strict regulatory measures with regard to the operation of e-sabong activities. He said he has received reports that many Filipinos who became addicted to e-sabong are suffering from serious financial obligations and are then forced to commit crimes.
He said that e-sabong operators should have a franchise issued by Congress and not just a license from the Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).