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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Cops net two racing pigeon 'lambateros' in Batangas operation

Cops net two racing pigeon 'lambateros' in Batangas operation

Published Mar 25, 2026 12:12 pm
Authorities conduct inventory of confiscated racing pigeons after the arrest of two suspects in an operation in Taal, Batangas. (photo: CIDG)
Authorities conduct inventory of confiscated racing pigeons after the arrest of two suspects in an operation in Taal, Batangas. (photo: CIDG)
The excitement on how fast his two racing pigeons could go home in Parañaque City from Quezon province turned into anxiety after they suddenly disappeared midway in the racing competition on March 1.
Eight days later, the owner was shocked after he was notified that his two racing pigeons were on Facebook, not for any victory celebration but being sold for P25,000 each.
On Tuesday, March 24, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) announced the arrest of the two people selling the stolen racing pigeons in an operation in Taal, Batangas.
Aside from the two stolen pigeons, CIDG director Maj. Gen. Robert AA Morico II said they also seized 41 more racing pigeons with Philippine Homing Association (PHA) leg band numbers.
Morico said each of the racing pigeons is indeed expensive and in fact, the 43 recovered have an estimated total value of P2.15 million.
Pigeon racing is a competitive sport where specialized homing pigeons are trained to return to their home loft from long distances. Winners are determined by the fastest average velocity recorded via electronic tags or rubber bands.
The sport is said to have originated in Europe and later became popular in Asia.
In the case of the two stolen pigeons, they were released together with other trained pigeons in Gumaca town in Quezon for a competition on March 1.
Morico said the operation stemmed from the request for assistance of the owner of the stolen racing pigeons.
The racing pigeons were supposed to have arrived home on the same day along with the rest but police suspected that they were intercepted and caught by the so-called lambateros (people who use nets to catch racing pigeons) somewhere in Mindoro.
CIDG operatives then met with the two suspects whom they later arrested after failing to present ownership documents of the 43 racing pigeons in their possession. Among those recovered were the two racing pigeons of the complainant.
Morico urged the public to report all illegal activities in their localities—such as theft, robbery, sale of stolen property, and other related crimes against property, " The successful operation underscores the relentlessness of CIDG against all forms of crimes and violations of law."

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CIDG pigeon racing Philippine Homing Association PHA
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