AdvocatesTV • April 17, 2020
Duterte orders DILG to probe illegal cockfights, drinking sessions amid ECQ
Photo Credit: Undated photo of Benjamin Jr Abalos
President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to investigate the reported holding of illegal cockfights and drinking sessions in Metro Manila in spite of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Luzon.
Duterte said he is looking at possibly stopping government financial support for those committing these violations.
“Now, itong mga local government units, I’d like the DILG to investigate sinong nagpasabong pati ‘yung nag-iinuman. Alam mo sa totoo lang ‘yung kayong nagsasabong pati nag-inuman, ibig sabihin may pera kayo. Kaya ko pinapa – ipapaano kung saan,” Duterte said.
“Do not expect any help from me. Sabihin ko talaga: you know wala, sorry na lang. May pera pala kayo pangsabong, may pera pala kayo pang-inom, ‘di ibigay ko na lang. There’s not enough to go around,” he added.
A number of residents in the cities of Manila and Parañaque were reportedly arrested for holding illegal cockfights and drinking sessions last week.
Duterte emphasized that the government will now ensure that financial assistance will only go to deserving beneficiaries.
“We are getting low sa supply ng pagkain na. Ilang araw na ‘yan buong Pilipinas pinapakain mo, 18 million families … kaya ‘yung assistance ibinibigay ng gobyerno dapat talaga gamitin ninyo sa wastong paraan,” he said.
“Now, for those people who are identified by the barangay captains and the mayors who are violating the quarantine, pasensya ho kayo. Help would not … kung ganun, may pera pala. So kulang na kulang nga, ibigay ko na lang talaga sa ‘yung nangangailangan at wala nang mapuntahan,” he added.
Duterte said he understands the sentiments of the people regarding the ECQ but that he is hoping for everyone's understanding as he emphasized that he himself is also affected by it.
The government has yet to come up with a decision whether or not to extend or modify the quarantine after April 30.
The Department of Health (DOH) reported 5,660 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 435 recoveries and 362 deaths as of Thursday afternoon.
