Published May 3, 2022

President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the recommendation of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to stop e-sabong or online cockfighting operations.

Duterte’s decision came following a survey conducted by the by DILG in cities and provinces regarding e-sabong operations.

“And the recommendation of [DILG} Secretary [Eduardo] Año is to do away with e-sabong and he cited the validation report coming from all sources,” Duterte said during his prerecorded Talk to the People aired Tuesday.

“So it’s his recommendation and I agree with it and it is good. So e-sabong will end by tonight. Bukas. Lalabas ito bukas,” he added.

Duterte said he is leaving it to Año to order when the operations should be stopped.

“I leave it to Secretary Año kung kailan niya… it might be tomorrow or, at least, tomorrow night or tomorrow afternoon. Kapag na ano na ‘yan, because it is immediate. Immediately,” he said.

E-sabong operations hit the headlines recently following the disappearance dozens of persons involved in the industry. Its continued operations even during the Holy Week was also questioned.

Duterte said the message is “loud and very clear” that e-sabong is “working against our values.”

Ang labas hindi na natutulog yung sabungero, 24 hours”, he said. –KBK, GMA News