Brgy officials, cops "clash" over cockfighting

CEBU, Philippines - Barangay officials of Guiwanon, Argao and the town police had a dispute when the latter tried to stop the cockfighting in the barangay on Friday.

Guiwanon barangay captain, lawyer Demostenis Tecson allegedly got irked when Inspector Allan Batobalonos, chief of the Argao Police Station ordered his men to stop the cockfighting, saying it was illegal.

A team of five policemen led by SPO1 Arnold Abenir went to Barangay Guiwanon to check the reports on the alleged cockfighting along the national highway in the place.

As the team arrived and asked the bettors to stop, Councilman Eddie dela Cruz allegedly appeared and told the police on the activity’s legality showing a permit that was passed through a barangay resolution recently.

The resolution stated cockfighting is allowed on Fridays in the barangay. In the past, cockfighting is only held every Saturday and Sunday but it was allegedly amended during the Sangguniang Barangay session.

Batobalonos said barangay officials claimed the cockfighting is intended to raise funds for the barangay.

 The police alleged that a certain Woodrow Semilla arrived and get the names of the police officers as allegedly ordered by Tecson. This prompted the team to call Batobalonos.

The police official explained that illegal gambling like cockfighting is under a national law that can not be easily covered by a barangay resolution just to make it legal.

He cited Section 1 of the Presidential Decree No. 1602 or simplifying and providing stiffer penalties for violations of Philippine Gambling Laws states that any person who shall knowingly permit any form of gambling referred to in the preceding subdivision to be carried on in inhabited or uninhabited places or any building, vessel or other means of transportation owned or controlled by him…. shall be punished by the penalty provided for in its maximum period and a fine of P6,000.

Argao Mayor Edsel Galeos claimed that cockfighting was tolerated only during fiesta celebrations but with proper zoning.

The police success-fully stopped the cockfighting in the barangay but Tecson said he will meet with Galeos, who is still out of town since Wednesday, to further discuss the matter. – THE FREEMAN