Mayor Jilson Tubillara said Wednesday, May 5, that the cockfights held at the San Enrique cockpit are legal because they are part of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation’s online sabong or e-sabong.
There are no crowds, the people allowed in the cockpit are limited and the llamador or bet manager is not allowed to shout, he said.
The fights are beamed online and bets are made electronically, Tubillara said.
Tubillara made the clarification after a DIGICAST NEGROS follower sent a video showing cars parked in front of the San Enrique cockpit for an alleged cockfight.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson has ordered a ban on cockfights in Negros Occidental after numerous persons who had gone to cockpits tested positive for COVID-19 and infected other residents in their communities.
Lacson, however, said e-sabong is allowed by the national government.
Tubillara said e-sabong cockfights are also held in other cockpits in Negros Occidental.*