Victory! Illegal Horse Race Cancelled in Laguna After PETA Push

Manila — In a groundbreaking victory for horses, authorities in Liliw, Laguna, have cancelled an illegal horse race that was scheduled to take place on 25 July—taking action within 24 hours after PETA alerted them that the event would expose horses to significant risks of injury, exhaustion, and stress. This marks the first time in the country that authorities have successfully stopped an illegal horse race before it could take place.

In its letter to Mayor Ildefonso Monleon, PETA noted that the event—which was planned as part of fiesta celebration at a barangay in Liliw—would likely violate the Animal Welfare Act and was being conducted outside the regulatory authority of the Philippine Racing Commission. PETA also contacted several government agencies—including the Bureau of Animal Industry, the Municipal Agriculture, and the Philippine National Police local offices in Liliw—and the authorities acted swiftly to cancel the race.

“This is a historic moment for horses in the Philippines and shows what can be achieved when authorities prioritize animal welfare,” says PETA President Jason Baker. “PETA urges other local governments across the country to follow Liliw’s compassionate example and prevent dangerous horse races from taking place in their jurisdictions.”

Horses used for racing are forced to sprint at speeds so fast that they frequently sustain catastrophic and often fatal injuries. When they stop winning races, many horses are killed.

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to use for entertainment”—points out that when it comes to the ability to feel pain, hunger, and fear, a horse is a dog is a boy. For more information about PETA’s investigative newsgathering and reporting, please visit PETAAsia.com or follow the group on X, Facebook, or Instagram.

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