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PETA Asia lauds PRRD for terminating e-sabong ops

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora

May 4, 2022, 3:40 pm

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte's order to stop the e-sabong operations in the Philippines was lauded by international animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

"The end of e-sabong is long overdue, especially as interest in the archaic bloodbath continues to wane in recent years. PETA commends President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to order the immediate termination of e-sabong across the Philippines," PETA Senior Vice President Jason Baker said in a statement on Wednesday.

Apart from e-sabong's social impact on people, one of the main reasons behind its shutdown, Baker said cockfighting is a blood sport that inflicts suffering and cruelty on animals.

READ: PRRD finally halts e-sabong operations

"In cockfights, the sharp razors attached to the roosters’ feet tear through flesh and bone, causing agonizing and fatal injuries," he said.

"The birds, who are purposefully bred to fight, are forced to fight no matter how wounded or tired they become, and they are often drugged into submission. These are a few of the many reasons why cockfighting is illegal in the United States, Australia, most of Europe, and many other countries. The Philippines should follow suit in banning not just e-sabong, but all sabong," he added.

Duterte announced Tuesday that he ordered for the immediate termination of e-sabong operations in the country based on the recommendation of Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año.

His directive came in the wake of the still unresolved disappearance of some e-sabong aficionados in the country. (PNA)

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