The Philippine Embassy in France has issued a warning to the Filipino community following reports of individuals participating in illegal cockfighting events and related gambling activities.
The embassy said French authorities had alerted it to cockfighting events involving some Filipinos, alongside illegal betting. Complaints had also been received over disturbances and littering connected with the gatherings.
Filipinos living and working in France were reminded that illegal cockfighting is treated as an animal cruelty offense and can result in imprisonment of up to three years and a fine of €45,000.
The embassy urged members of the community to comply with French laws and avoid activities that could affect the standing of Filipinos living in the country.
Cockfighting, known as "sabong" in the Philippines, involves two gamecocks fighting in a pit or arena. Betting is commonly associated with the activity, while some forms involve attaching sharp blades or spurs to the birds.
The legal treatment of cockfighting differs between France and the Philippines. In the Philippines, traditional cockfighting can operate under specified conditions at licensed cockpits, while unauthorized events are prohibited. Electronic cockfighting, commonly known as e-sabong, also remains suspended.
The warning comes as Philippine authorities continue separate efforts to address illegal gambling domestically.
Last week, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas proposed tighter screening requirements for payment providers after identifying merchant accounts allegedly being used to process transactions for unregistered online casinos.
More than 8,000 merchant accounts have been closed over suspected illegal activities, with proposed rules requiring additional checks on merchant ownership, licensing and business legitimacy.
Traditional cockfighting remains permitted under specific conditions in the Philippines, while unauthorized events are illegal
