CEBU CITY – Several individuals were arrested after they were caught engaging in an illegal cockfight locally known as “tigbakay” in Barangay Guadalupe here on Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 10.
Police Major Miles Damoslog, chief of the Guadalupe Police Station, said the illegal cockfight in Sitio Sambag 4 was reported to them past 3 p.m.
A team of police was immediately dispatched.
Damoslog said there were more than 100 persons participating in the cockfight when police arrived but only 16 were cornered as the others swiftly fled.
Gamefowls, cockfighting paraphernalia, and P2,000 cash were seized during the raid.
Damoslog said the cockfight was reportedly part of the barangay’s fiesta celebration.
He said cockfighting, even if it is part of fiesta activities, must be held in an authorized cockfighting arena.
Damoslog said that cockfighting may be part of Filipino tradition but it must be held in appropriate place and time.
Charges for violation of Presidential Decree 1602 that prescribes stiffer penalties against illegal gambling will be filed against the apprehended persons, Damoslog said.