Manila, Feb. 17 -- Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian is pushing for tougher legislative action to curb the rapid spread of illegal online gambling, as unlicensed betting sites continue to lure millions of Filipinos into gambling addiction.

In a news releasee on Tuesday, Gatchalian said unlicensed betting sites continue to proliferate and tempt millions of Filipinos into gambling addiction.

"Parang kabute ang mga ito - kahit ma-block ngayon, bukas andyan na naman. It's never ending. Dapat putulin na ang ugat (These are like mushrooms - even if you block it now, it keeps coming back. It's never ending. The root of the problem must be cut)," he said.

In a recent Senate hearing, Gatchalian asked the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordination Center (...