Philippine president Duterte orders end to e-sabong

The order took effect last night.

In a speech made yesterday, Duterte said that e-sabong “was working against our [the Philippines’] values”.

He cited Eduardo Año, secretary of the Interior and Local Government, who conducted a survey on the “social impact” of e-sabong on the Filipino people, and recommended that the country “do away” with it.

“It is his recommendation, and I agree with it,” said Duterte. “E-sabong will end by tonight.”

Duterte stated that Año will decide on the details of the order.

Last year Duterte encouraged Filipinos to gamble in order to help the country recover from the Covid-19 pandemic, a U-turn from his previous hesitation to support the industry.

In February 2022 a legislative committee report found a “clear link” between Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOS) and a number of crimes – including human trafficking and prostitution.