Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 14) — Outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday apologized for realizing “very late” the negative effects of e-sabong or online cockfighting operations on society.
“I realized very late. I am very sorry that it had to happen. Di ko akalain na ganon [I didn’t think it will be that way],” Duterte said during his speech after inspecting the National Academy of Sports in Capaz, Tarlac.
“There is a disorder. It inflicts pain on our society,” he said.
Early last month, the outgoing chief executive ordered a stop to the operations of e-sabong, saying it was “working against our values and ang impact sa pamilya at tao [the impact to family and people].”
The Department of Interior and Local Government has since taken down seven illegal e-sabong websites. Twelve others were identified, with another eight on social media platforms.
