Police raid "tigbakay" in Mambaling Compound

CEBU, Philippines - The police raided a compound in Sitio Kamansi, Barangay Mambaling, Cebu City, yesterday afternoon following reports of illegal cockfighting or “tigbakay”.

But they failed to arrest anyone since the betting and fights were done by the time they arrived.

Close to a hundred cockfighting enthusiasts were on their way out of the compound owned by a certain Reynaldo Castillo when elements of the Cebu City Police Office City Intelligence Branch went to the area around 2 p.m.

The raid was conducted after police received a complaint from an anonymous source who reported on the noise from the alleged cockfights, said Chief Insp. Romeo Santander, head of the CCPO CIB.

Inside the compound was a metal cockpit surrounded by several chairs. Three tents owned by the barangay were put up inside the compound.

Santander said that someone might have tipped the group that the police were coming and they stopped the cockfights.

Castillo, who was shocked by the raid, said that their operation was sanctioned by their barangay captain, Rodolfo Estella. They, however, failed to show any permits. 

He also said that all of their proceeds were for the benefit of their local Sinulog celebration tomorrow, adding that they are not doing the cockfighting for their own gain. 

But when asked if they were also sanctioned by their parish, Castillo did not reply.

Estella was not available for comment yesterday.

Immediately after the raid, Santander ordered the dismantling of the cockpit and the three tents put up inside the compound.Based on records seized, 17 rounds were already completed by the time the police arrived. Police went away only with several cocks that lost their fights.

Castillo said that if anyone should organize a cockfighting event in their respective areas, they should follow all the requirements laid by the law. (FREEMAN)