DILG-Davao official: E-sabong brings’ ill effect’ to community

ELECTRONIC sabong (e-sabong) has brought “ill effect” to the community, which resulted to President Rodrigo Duterte suspending its operation, according to the Department of Interior and Local Government-Davao Region (DILG-Davao).

DILG-Davao Director Alex Roldan said in a press conference that Duterte’s basis for the suspension of e-sabong was based on the survey conducted by their office nationwide.

Roldan said six out of 10 individuals, who participated in the survey, want a stop to the “e-sabong”.

“Ang decision sa President (The President’s decision) is not just a simple decision. It was guided decision. It was based on the result of our survey on what is the feeling and impression of the people in e-sabong,” he said during the AFP-PNP Press Conference on Wednesday, May 4.

Among the factor includes the social problems that ocucred, and its major impact on the country.

DILG Secretary Eduardo Año, in a SunStar Philippines report, said that in an online survey conducted from April 19 to 20, 62 percent out of the total 8,463 respondents voted against e-sabong operations, while 34 percent want it to continue but with tighter regulation, and only four percent expressed full support to it.

He said the respondents were persons engaged in e-sabong, whether they are agents, employees, bettors or players, and non-participants or non-players but related to or acquainted with the said individuals across the country.

Meanwhile, Roldan said that suspension of e-sabong will cause a P640 million revenue loss, but he said the losses is comparable to the problems it caused. (Read full story on sunstar.com.ph/davao) / AILENE BUNTILAO,