BAHAGI na ng kasaysayan ng kulturang Pinoy ang sabong. At batay sa mga lumang dokumento, kasama na sa pamumuhay ng sambayanan ang sabong noon pang 1521.

Bago pa man, nakarating ang tropa ni Magellan batay na rin sa nalimbag na libro ni Antonio Pigafetta, nilalaro na sa Pilipinas ang sabong.

Kaya hindi kataka-taka na makikita ang cockpit arena sa bawat lungsod at lalawigan sa buong bansa.

Ngunit, sa kagustuhang mas mapangalagaan ang sabong bilang isang sports, inilunsad ng Philippine Cockfighting International, Inc. nitong Hunyo 2018 ang isang programa kung saan mapapanood sa pamamagitan ng live streaming ang high quality cockfights maging sa mga Pinoy na nasa abroad na hindi kailangang makipag-pustahan.

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Nais ng mga indibidwal na nasa likod ng asosasyon na mapanatili ang mainit na pagtanggap ng Pinoy sa sabong bilang isang uri ng sports at hindi sugal.

“PCII’s thrust is to maintain fairness and integrity of cockfighting as presented to the outside world,” pahayag ng PCII sa pormal na mensahe sa media.

Upang masiguro na maaabatan ang aspeto ng sugal, huminge ng pahintulot ang PCII sa Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) upang mapasailalim sa kapangyarihan ng pamahalaan.

“PCII’s main mission is to bring the Philippine Cockfigting heritage to the world. It is something we would like to do. But we plan to do this with the seal of responsible gaming with the guidance of PAGCOR,” ayon sa PCCI.

“Sabong in the Philippines is a deeply rooted part of the Filipino culture. It shows no signs of slowing down as in other parts of the world. In fact it shows that the Filipinos love for sabong continues to grow.”

“As sabong is popular in all walks of life, it has developed into an endless quest for fighting superiority in style and durability. The endless search for the right breed never ends. The regional divergence of different methods of breeding and and training makes the challenge to become a champion thrilling.”

“Because of these, there is an abundance of exciting sabong matches to be filmed. This will allow PCII the opportunity to package and stream a diversity of first class fights from reputable and fully licensed cockpits nationwide,” anila.

Sa kasalukuyan, ang PAGCOR, ang tanging governing body sa amusements and gaming, ay nagbigay ng lisensya sa mahigit 50 Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO), kabilang na rito ang PCII.

“As much as we want to uphold this great Filipino tradition of sabong, we also would like to ensure that everything we do is above board,” pahayag ng PCII.