Facebook shuts down e-Sabong pages

FACEBOOK or Meta Platforms, Inc. has finally shut down several social media pages operating illegal on-line cockfighting or “e-Sabong,” according to Interior Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya.

“While this Department acknowledges Facebook’s take down of illegal e-sabong pages and accounts (recently), its much delayed response to the request of Philippine authorities is emblematic of the culture that has embraced Meta Platforms, Inc.,” he said.

Online or e-Sabong portal. (Image: Al Jacinto)

Malaya said despite official requests and public appeals made by the government, Meta Platforms ignored the pleas for Facebook to comply with Philippine laws and only acted belatedly.

“It appears to have dragged its feet on stopping illegal and harmful activities in its social media platform. In the race for profits, they should never put growth above and before the safety of its users,” he said.

The Philippines is currently considered the social media capital of the world by amount of use. Some 80 million people use social media on average about four hours a day and the Philippines is one of Facebook’s biggest markets, accounting for 93% of the country’s social media market share. Since it dominates the Philippine market, it generates considerable profits especially in the last national and local elections, according to Malaya.

“Therefore, Facebook and other technology companies have to be made responsible and accountable for stopping illegal activities, like e-sabong and child abuse, especially on live streaming and video call platforms. Up to now, online predators increasingly use live-stream because most tech companies have not done enough to detect or stop this type of abuse.”

“As a business entity operating in the Philippines, Facebook should never allow itself to be a venue or a tool for illegal activity. Despite being banned, it inexplicably allowed e-sabong on its platform,” he said.

Malaya also urged Congress to follow the lead of other countries and pass legislation to regulate social media. “Facebook must be held liable for any illegal content on their sites. They must be made to account for how it protects its user’s privacy and how it handles and safeguards user’s data. Facebook must have the duty to take care of their users, including protecting them from illegal and harmful content,” he said.

“The Philippines must be vigilant in enforcing our laws without fear or favor even if it involves a social media giant. We must build a safe and healthy online environment removing content that is illegal and harmful to the general public,” he added.

Lawmakers previously urged President Rodrigo Duterte to put a stop to all e-sabong, but the president ignored this appeal citing the huge amount of revenues the government gets from it. Duterte later on changed his mind and ordered a stop to all e-sabong operations following the abductions of many cockfight aficionados.  

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has also ordered its bank-supervised financial institutions to remove all e-sabong operators from the list of merchants in their respective online applications. (Mindanao Examiner)