Manila (AFP) – Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte vowed to ban online cockfighting following outcry over the industry sparked by the disappearance of dozens of workers and concerns about the social costs of gambling.
Cockfighting is a popular sport in the Philippines, but Covid-19 forced the closure of traditional arenas where spectators flock to watch roosters wearing bladed spurs fight to the death.
The government instead granted franchises to seven firms to show the contests and take bets online – known as ‘e-sabong’ – 24 hours a day.
More details on Wednesday’s Borneo Bulletin
