38 arrested for tigbakay

CEBU, Philippines — A total of 38 individuals allegedly involved in illegal cockfighting activities were arrested by police in separate anti-gambling operations carried out in Cebu City and Bohol Province, during Maundy Thursday and Good Friday on April 2 and 3, respectively.

The first operation happened around 1:20 P.M. on April 2 in Sitio Kasagingan, Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City, where 12 individuals were caught in the act of engaging in or betting on illegal cockfighting, locally known as “tigbakay”, without necessary permits.

According to the Cebu City Police Office-Guadalupe Police Station 9, the apprehended suspects were identified as Alfie Llaguno Ermitanio, 42; Gleen Cavan Taborada, 50; Evaresto Lapera Calora, 51; Ernie Caballes Labay, 51; Rodolfo Mainit Cabajar, 61, who are all residents of Sitio Kalubihan Banawa in the said barangay.

Also arrested were France Rago Galing, 23; Victor Barreta Jabonillo, 62; Baito Bulan Ramirez, 63; Rodrigo Bayon-on Giganto, 67, from the neighboring sitio in Kamanggahan, as well as Diony Misa Rago, 52, and Victor Situal, 61, who are both from Sitio Sampaguita; and Geronimo Pabro Sabanate, 72, of Sitio Kasagingan.

During the operation, police also seized at least two fighting cocks, one dead and the other seriously wounded, along with a set of gaffs, and bet money worth P805.

An hour later, the Bohol Police Provincial Office (BPPO) also began its series of operations against illegal gambling, wherein a total of 13 individuals were arrested from various towns across the province that same day.

In Dauis, Bohol, at least three men aged 62, 63, and 75 were arrested at around 1:20 P.M. when they were caught conducting cockfighting in Purok 1, Barangay Tinago. By 2:30 P.M., two men aged 61 and 29 were arrested in Sitio Tawid, Barangay Mayuga, Guindulman town.

This was followed by an operation at 4 P.M. in Purok 1, Barangay Camias, Calape, where three men aged 43, 51, and 69 were also arrested. At 4:30 P.M., two other men aged 48 and 52 were arrested in Purok 6, Barangay Calangahan, Sagbayan.

Additionally, a 31-year-old man was also arrested in Sitio Kalachochi, Barangay Nahawan, Clarin, at 4:40 P.M., while participating in an illegal cockfight. The operation that day concluded at 5:20 P.M., after the arrest of two men aged 52 and 46 in Purok 3, Barangay Pandanon, Getafe.

In total, the police confiscated at least 12 fighting cocks, several gaffing paraphernalia, and a bet money amounting to P2,800 that day.

The following day, Good Friday, April 3, the BPPO continued its anti-gambling operations, arresting another 13 individuals allegedly involved in illegal cockfighting in the province.

A 39-year-old man was first arrested in Purok 5, Barangay San Isidro, Talibon, at 2:30 P.M.

Subsequently, at least six men were also caught in Sitio Matin-aw, Barangay Bago, Buenavista, after the police chased them while they were participating in an illegal cockfight at 2:40 P.M.

Shortly after at 3:15 P.M., another six individuals were then apprehend in Purok 6, Barangay Dao, Dauis for the same violation.

Seized during the April 3 operations were a total of P1,530 in bet money, at least 10 fighting cocks, and various equipment used in gaffing.

All arrested suspects remained detained at the custodial facility of the respective police stations where they spent the rest of Holy Week, while documents were being prepared for the filing of charges against for violating Presidential Decree 1602 or illegal gambling, which will be possibly filed tomorrow, April 6. (CEBU NEWS)