Cockpit owner says he told promoter to stop derby; no refund of entry fee

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews) — The owner of the New Davao Matina Gallera says he told the promoter of the six-cock derby last month not to push through with it because of the dangers posed by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Businessman Sammy Uy, a close friend of President Rodrigo Duterte, told MindaNews over the weekend that he informed derby promoter and pit manager Dory Du before the sixcock derby scheduled on March 7, 10, 12 and 14 that it was “medyo delikado” (a bit dangerous) to hold it because of COVID-19.

“I informed Dory istop natin yan,” Uy said.

But he said Du “called the DOH (Department of Health) and the DOH told Dory walang guidelines” against holding a derby.

Asked which DOH office Du called, Uy said he does not know.

MindaNews checked with Dr. Annabelle Yumang, regional director of DOH-Davao on Uy’s statement that Du called the DOH. She said on Sunday: “I have not met Mr. Dory Du and no consultation was made with DOH-XI.”

Du passed away last month. He succumbed to COVID-19 on March 23.

The City Council of Davao unanimously approved on February 4 a

resolution approving the request of Du to hold a three-cock derby on March 7, 10 and 12. Three days later, on February 7, Health Secretary Francisco Duque issued an advisory against mass gatherings to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and heeding Duque’s advisory, Mayor Sara Duterte canceled on February 10, all activities in the run-up to the Araw ng Dabaw on March 16.

Duque’s February 7 advisory also recommended the “cancellation of such planned big events or mass gatherings until further advice” and for the public to “avoid crowded places and continue to practice self-protection measures” to further minimize the risk of contracting COVID-19.

Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang, chair of the committees on Finance, Ways and Means and Appropriations and Games and Amusement, told MindaNews on April 1 that they did not revoke the resolution that approved the conduct of the derby and which became the basis for the issuance of a permit from the Business Bureau, because “it’s a private sponsored event while all other activities were allowed in national level.” Public health emergency

MindaNews sent Uy a set of questions five times via messenger and three times via text message since April 13. He finally answered on April 25, through a phone call.

Rumors have been linking Uy’s name to the cockpit. When MindaNews asked him on the ownership status of the New Davao Matina Gallera, Uy said he is one of the owners of the corporation running the cockpit.

Uy has several other business interests, including an appliance store.

He said they cooperated with the DOH in the contact-tracing of who were at the derby, that they gave copies of the video footage during the derby. The air-conditioned cockpit has high-resolution CCTV cameras.

Uy said he has “lots of witnesses” who can prove he asked Du to stop the derby or take out an elimination round.

In the telephone interview, Uy repeatedly said “sabong is word of honor” and that Du was a stickler for honoring his word.

He said Du explained that calling off the derby would be “nakakahiya” (shameful) because he had given his word of honor that it would push through, people had already arrived from different parts of the country and he had allegedly called the DOH.

No refund

The derby’s promotional materials placed the entry fee at 100,000 pesos and the minimum bet at 11,000 pesos.

The derby attracted at least 400 entries.

Asked if there would be a refund as some derbygoers had asked, Uy said there will be no refund of the 100,000 pesos entry fee because “the derby is not finished.”

He said they can continue the derby after the public health emergency is lifted, in either Tagum City or Manila “kung talagang ayaw ni Sara (if Sara does not like it),” referring to the mayor of Davao City.