Rama to cops: Go after tigbakay

CEBU, Philippines - While Mayor Michael Rama yesterday clarified that he has no standing orders for police to raid “tigbakay” (illegal cockfight) operations during barangay or sitio fiestas, it does not mean the police should not run after them.

“Kung magtigbakay man gyud sila, take it at their own risk. But it doesn’t mean nga dili na ta pwede mo-raid niana,” Rama said, adding that he is totally against all forms of gambling and he is not a cockfighting fan.

Tigbakay operations continue to be a hide-and-seek game between the authorities and operators despite a law that already prohibits it.

Under the national law, cockfighting can only be held in duly designated cockpits approved by the government.

Cockfights done outside licensed cockpits are illegal, these are called tigbakay.

Under the Local Government Code, the local government units are empowered to authorize and issue licenses regarding the establishment, operation and maintenance of cockpits, including the regulation of cockfighting.

The existing National Cockfighting Law provides that “only one cockpit shall be allowed in each city or municipality, except that in cities or municipalities with a population of over 100,000 two cockpits may be established, maintained and operated.”

Even if the law only allows the city to have two cockpits, at present, the city already has three existing cockpits that are situated in barangays Sawang Calero and Pung-ol Sibugay.

Last week, Rama vetoed City Council Resolution No. 12-2383-2011 approving the application of the Queen City E-gaming Corp. to operate an Internet casino station at the Paseo Phase 2 in Panagdait, Barangay Kasambagan. — (FREEMAN)