5 nabbed in Ermita for holding ‘tigbakay’

CEBU, Philippines —  Five were arrested while 14 others had escaped when authorities raided an illegal cockfighting at Sitio Tumoy, Barangay Ermita, Cebu City last Sunday afternoon.

Police Major Alvin Llamedo, Carbon Police Station chief, identified the arrested suspects as Renante Dalogdog, 40; Randy Tago, 40; Peter Quisada, 32; Herminigildo Rosas Jr., 54 and Paul James Sarona, 31.

Three of the arrested suspects were from Barangay Ermita while the two others were from the Barangay Pahina Central.

The identities of the 14 others who eluded arrest were known after the photos of the illegal activity were posted and went viral online. Llamedo, however, said that prior to the posting, they have already conducted the operation following a report from a concerned citizen at around 4:30 p.m.

“Katong naa nay nanggawas nga picture, among gibuhat is ni-conduct mig follow-up, ni-coordinate ta sa barangay, until ganinang buntag sayo, naa mi na-identify na katorse kabuok,”said Llamedo.

The 14 persons at large will be subjected for regular filing. Aside from the PD 1602 charges, the suspects arrested and those who were at large will also face the charges of violation against the newly implemented City Ordinance 2566 that will now penalize violators against the quarantine protocols.

Llamedo said the barangay captain of Ermita does not have any knowledge that an illegal cockfighting has been going since the area where it was conducted was located in the interior part of the barangay.

“Regarding sa barangay, among nakita nga seryoso kaayo si kap, ang problema lang ani kay naa naman jud sa pinaka interior, ang mga tawo sad uban ba, ang mga opisyal ug police ra sad ang bantayan, pero among nakita wa jud nagkuwang ang barangay,” said Llamedo.

“Ga abot-abot rani sila, pero kani atong gisiguro kaning lima, mao gyud ni sila ang katong nagbuhi sa manok, nag ‘masyador’, ang ga-organize gani, kay dili man gyud ni usa lang ang nag-organize,” he added.

Recovered pieces of evidence from the area were P400 and two dead fighting cock. — GAN (FREEMAN)