The Hidden World of E-Sabong in the Philippines
For over a month, divers have been searching a lake south of Manila for the bodies of men connected to one of the Philippines’ most violent and enduring pastimes: cockfighting. According to a government witness, these men were allegedly murdered by rogue police officers. Their deaths are tied to the country's intense fascination with e-sabong, or live-streamed cockfights, which saw a surge in popularity during the pandemic. Despite a ban on the practice under former President Rodrigo Duterte, e-sabong continues to thrive, drawing in millions of bettors and fueling a multi-million-dollar industry.
In the Manila suburb of Bulacan, sabungeros — those who engage in cockfighting — joked about their missing colleagues, even as the threat of violence loomed. Marcelo Parang, a 60-year-old sabungero, insisted that the murders had nothing to do with the legal cockfighting world. “We don’t know if they did something bad,” he said. “We’re not scared… In here, we’re peaceful. In here, the matches are held fairly.”
Inside the tarian, a crowded room where roosters are equipped with blades on their legs, the atmosphere was tense. Outside, an audience of 800 people cheered as a match ended, with the losing bird dumped into an empty paint bucket. These events, while seemingly traditional, now exist in a digital age where betting has gone online, making it more accessible and harder to regulate.
The Allure and Dangers of E-Sabong
Ray Gibraltar, once a painter and former director, grew up in a family of cockfight enthusiasts. His uncle was a breeder, and the sport was part of his childhood. But when the fights moved online during the pandemic, Gibraltar found himself drawn into the world of e-sabong. What began as a casual interest quickly turned into an addiction. Within a year, he was wagering up to $15,000 a day, losing money at an alarming rate.
“I wasn’t eating. I was just drinking coffee and smoking… I had no sleep,” he recalled of a three-day session. He admitted borrowing money from everyone he knew, eventually betting the last 300 pesos in his e-wallet before checking into rehab. His story is not unique. Reagan Praferosa, founder of Recovering Gamblers of the Philippines, says many of his clients only seek help after hitting rock bottom.
“Most of them won’t call us if they still have money,” Praferosa said. Since 2020, about 30% of his caseload has involved e-sabong. “At arenas, you had to go somewhere to cash out. Now, it’s connected to an e-wallet,” he explained. This shift has made gambling more accessible and harder to track.
Jay, a 24-year-old graphic artist, logs onto an illegal website every time he gets his paycheck. Using a pseudonym to avoid judgment from his family, he showed how wagers as low as 10 pesos could be placed on roosters via his phone. While the stakes may be small, the impact on individuals like Jay can be devastating. He has lost money meant for his younger brother’s school supplies and struggles to control his habit.
“It’s not the money I’m after, it’s the thrill,” he said. “It’s easier to chase that in e-sabong because it’s available on my cellphone.”
The Struggle Against Illegal Gambling
Authorities estimate that millions of dollars are generated weekly through e-sabong, with bettors like Jay fueling the industry. Despite efforts to curb the practice, enforcement remains challenging. The Philippine telecoms commission has blocked over 6,800 e-sabong websites, according to Police Brigadier General Bernard Yang. However, the use of virtual private networks (VPNs) makes it nearly impossible to trace the true origins of the streams.
Yang acknowledged that current penalties — fines as low as 1,000 pesos ($17) — offer little deterrent. He claimed the problem is “not so grave anymore.” However, Senator Erwin Tulfo has continued to push for action, arguing that e-sabong remains a serious threat. Recently, the central bank issued a directive requiring e-wallet companies to remove links to illegal sites within 48 hours.
Congressman Rolando Valeriano, who called the situation “very alarming,” has proposed a bill that would increase fines and jail terms for online cockfighting and gambling. “In every community, you can see children who know how to bet on e-sabong,” he said. “That’s what was worrying me.”
“This might be a lonely battle, but we will keep on fighting.”
A Disturbing Symbol
The fight against e-sabong may seem like a lonely one, but its presence is undeniable. Just days after the new session of Congress began, a photograph circulated in local media showing a congressman watching a cockfight on his smartphone during the vote for House speaker. The image, verified by AFP, highlighted the deep-rooted nature of the issue and the challenges faced by those trying to combat it.
Despite the efforts of lawmakers and advocates, e-sabong continues to thrive, blending tradition with technology and creating a dangerous new form of gambling that affects lives across the country.