Senator Christopher “Bong” Go expressed his support to the calls of his colleagues to temporarily halt the operations of e-sabong in the country while the investigation on the disappearance of 31 sabungeros (cockfight bettors/watchers) is still ongoing.

“Sang-ayon ako sa panawagan ng aking mga kapwa mambabatas para sa temporary suspension ng operations ng e-sabong habang isinasagawa ang malawakang imbestigasyon ukol sa mga nawawalang tao,” said Go in a statement issued on Monday, February 28.

Senators filed a resolution asking the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation to freeze the “e-sabong” licenses it had awarded until the cases are resolved.

The Senate Committee on Public Order conducted an inquiry on eight incidents of abduction involving 31 people that occurred between April 2021 and January of this year. The abductions were allegedly linked to the victims’ involvement in e-sabong and cockfighting operations.

Meanwhile, Go repeated his request to the public to cooperate with the investigation, saying that lives are at stake in the case of missing persons.

“Bilang Senador, umaapela ako sa lahat na makiisa sa imbestigasyon. Maraming buhay ang apektado. Dapat lumabas ang mga nawawalang tao at lumabas ang katotohanan,” he said.

Go also reiterated his appeal to the Philippine National Police, the National Bureau of Investigation, and other concerned agencies to act on this matter and resolve these cases immediately.

The senator also urged PAGCOR and other government regulatory bodies to review their policies and ensure full compliance with security, surveillance and records requirements to prevent these kinds of incidents.

“Panagutin ang dapat managot at alamin kung sino ang nagpabaya. Hindi dapat hinayaang umabot pa sa ganitong sitwasyon na may mga taong nawawala at buhay na ang nakataya!” he stressed.