DILG chief warns arrest of e-sabong suspension violators

MANILA – Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año warned on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, of the arrest of those who will violate the order of President Rodrigo Duterte to stop the e-sabong (online cockfight betting) operations.

Año said Duterte’s order is valid even without the implementing rules and regulations (IRR), noting that the memorandum issued by the executive secretary Tuesday night, May 3, ordering the suspension of e-sabong will suffice.

“Wala namang sophistication diyan sa utos ng Pangulo. Kapag sinabi ng Chief Executive na hindi na pupuwede ito at ito naman ay ayon na rin sa kapangyarihan ng Pangulo, ipapatupad natin yan. Kapag sinabing stop, stop na yan (There is no sophistication in the President’s order. If the Chief Executive says it is no longer allowed, then we will implement it. If it’s ordered stopped, then it should be stopped),” he said in a radio interview.

“Wala na ano mang technicalities, mga justification. So ganun lang naman kasimple. Kung hindi ka susunod, eh di mananagot ka sa batas at expect mo na magkakaroon ng pag aresto diyan sa mga hindi susunod (No more technicalities or justifications. It’s that simple. If they won’t follow, then they will answer and expect that arrests will happen),” he added.