Cockfighting, motorbike back riders still banned

MANILA, Philippines — Cockfighting remains prohibited in areas under modified or general community quarantine.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año yesterday ordered local government units to close cockpits in their areas.

“Patuloy po ang paalala natin sa ating mga kababayan na ang mapapatunayang lumabag sa kautusan na ito ay mapaparusahan,” Año said.

He issued the directive after receiving reports that some local government units allowed the resumption of cockfighting.

Año said the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases has not issued any resolution allowing the resumption of cockfighting.

He said any leisure, amusement and gaming establishments that promote public gatherings are not allowed to operate.

Meanwhile, President Duterte said he supports the stand of the Department of the Interior and Local Government to ban back riders on motorcycles as a precautionary measure against the coronavirus disease 2019.

Duterte said he rejected the appeal of Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia to lift the restrictions on motorcycles back riders to address the lack of public transportation.

”If I begin to give an exemption to one, I will open myself to charges (for violation) of the Anti-Graft Law for giving another undue advantage,” the President said. Christina Mendez