CIDG Tondo Raid Nabs 172 in Alleged Round-the-Clock E-Sabong Hub
A raid in Tondo, Manila led to the arrest of 172 people after police shut down what they described as an illegal online sabong operation inside Vitas Coliseum. According to The Manila Times, the March 24 operation was carried out by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group of the Philippine National Police.
Authorities said those rounded up included bettors, management staff, gaffers, and bet takers. Police also seized 45 computer sets and three tripod cameras, suggesting the setup was built to keep matches and betting activity running smoothly behind the scenes.
Of the total arrested, 132 were later released to their families at the CIDG legal department, while the rest were held for inquest proceedings at the Manila Police District. The suspects who remained in custody were reported to be facing illegal gambling charges under Presidential Decree 1602 in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
CIDG officials said the operation allegedly ran nonstop, with each fight lasting just two to three minutes and bets placed through an online link called 'Sabong VIP.' Bet amounts reportedly ranged from P100 to P1,000, and police said each fight could draw at least P300,000 in wagers — mabilis ang ikot, and clearly high volume.
The report also placed the bust in the wider context of the national ban on e-sabong, which was first ordered in 2022 and kept in place under the current administration. Investigators said the management denied wrongdoing even after officers presented video evidence, and authorities are now looking deeper into how the operation was being run.
Source: The Manila Times
