170 “sabongeros” nabbed in Carcar

CEBU, Philippines — Around 170 persons were arrested for illegal gambling inside a cockpit at Sitio Luan-Luan, Barangay Poblacion 1, Carcar City, Cebu last Tuesday afternoon.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Clarissa Gabutan, Carcar City Police Station Chief, said that they have conducted the operation against the cockpit for violating the law that prohibits any cockfighting arena to operate on weekdays.

On the allegation that some of the arrested suspects were injured for jumping off from the arena during the conduct of the arrest, Gabutan said that they haven’t verified any.

She added that they are yet to identify the owner of the arena and added that they are prioritizing the filling of the case to the operators and the arrestees.

“Ang among gi-focus jud karon kay ang documentation kay dapat karon naman gud ni ma-file,” Gabutan said.

She reminded the public that cockpits are prohibited from operating on weekdays.  These establishments are only allowed to operate on Sundays and fiestas, in line with the PNPs campaign against any forms of illegal gambling.

“So nakita man gyud nato na gahapon Tuesday (nag-operate), so conduct tag operation.   So, kini sya leksyon na ni sya nga dili mag sulod-sulod,” Gabutan said.

Those arrested will face the charge of violating Presidential Decree 1602, which is bailable with more or less P6,500.

Recovered during the operation were two dead fighting cocks, 35 live fighting cocks, 40 gaffs and P16,000.

Meanwhile, Police Colonel Roderick Mariano, Cebu Police Provincial Office Director, said that the operator of the cockfighting arena had operated without the consent of the owner.

The information is still under validation according to Mariano at present.  GAN (FREEMAN)