Gambling tycoon Charlie “Atong” Ang has paused the operations of Pitmasters Live following President Rodrigo Duterte’s order for the shutdown of e-sabong operations.
Ano ba talagang bawal? Atong Ang’s Pitmaster seeks clarity on e-sabong ops after Duterte’s halt order
“Napanood namin kaninang umaga sa news na nais ng ating mahal na Pangulo na pansamantalang ipatigil muna ang operation ng e-sabong upang mapag-aralan at maiayos ang problema at isyu hinggil sa e-sabong,” Ang said in a video message.
“Kami po sa Pitmaster ay sumusunod sa tawag ng ating Pangulo at kusa kaming titigil ngayong gabi kahit wala pa ang kautusan ng Pagcor,” he added.
Pahamak pagtalpak! 62% of e-sabong stakeholders want ops to end- DILG survey
Duterte heeded the recommendation of the Department of the Interior and Local Government to halt online cockfighting and betting, citing social ills it has caused.
The President’s decision was a turnaround from his earlier refusal to suspend e-sabong operations after 34 online cockfighting aficionados disappeared.
Destroying values! Duterte snuffs out e-Sabong and its P60 billion-a-month bets
“Pinapaalam ko sa inyong lahat at sa ating mga master agent, operator, at ating mga kasamahan na breeders, at sa lahat ng mga tumatangkilik at nakikinabang sa industriya na ito na huwag mag-alala at mag-antay muna habang inaayos ang mga tamang polisiya ukol dito,” Ang added.
Despite the temporary halt in Pitmasters’ operations, Ang said he’s grateful to Duterte and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation for accrediting his companies and letting them operate even during the pandemic.

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