While on ECQ: 20 men nabbed for cockfighting

CEBU, Philippines — Two days after the city was placed under the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), the authorities were able to apprehend several law violators, said Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Director Police Colonel Hector Grijaldo Jr.

While he believes that majority of the Cebuanos cooperated with the declaration of the ECQ, Grijaldo, in a press conference, said that they were still able to arrest violators within the two days of their inspections around the city.

Around 20 persons were arrested for informally organizing a cockfighting in their area.

"Kini ilang sabong, murag inato lang ba, nga mutapok lang didto ang mga silingan magdala ug duha ka manok,magpasabong ra," Grijaldo said.

"Mamantay ra sila ug police.  Pag-abot sa mga police, managan ra pud nya mobalik ra sa balay. Dili gyud sa ingon nga gi-organize, mura lang siya ug lingaw-lingaw, but it is absolutely na bawal talaga ang sugal," he added.

Aside from cockfighting, law enforcers were also able to apprehend persons running internet cafes that who even allowed several minors to play inside.

This is amidst the suspension order of Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella that prohibits leisure establishments to open while the ECQ is still in effect.

"Doble pa gyud ang violation sa tag-iya. Kay dapat close man ng mga internet cafes nato, unya iyang gipadula pa gyud kay mga minors.  So, we recommend it sa atong business bureau ng ating local government units," Grijaldo said.

He, however, expressed that around 80 percent of the community in Cebu City cooperated with the guidelines of the law enforcers.

Grijaldo said that they are now moving closer to the barangays to have a Barangay Quarantine Control points for the purpose of limiting the movement of the people as they are now being compressed.

Marijuana plants uprooted

Meanwhile, about P2.8 million worth of marijuana plants were uprooted in an operation by the 703rd Maneuver Company of the Regional Mobile Force Batallion at Sitio Gen. Climaco, Toledo City yesterday.

During the operation, the authorities also arrested Jerlito Sedavia, Michael Candilada, Benjie Candilada, Isidro Canaliso and Harry Macapaz, who were allegedly cultivating those illegal plants.

Police Captain Emmanuel Rabaya, who headed the operation, said they received information about the illegal activity from the residents in the area, which prompted them to put the suspects under surveillance for two weeks.

One of the suspects said they cultivated marijuana because they thought that the plant is a cure for COVID-19.

Meanwhile, in Carcar City, nine men were arrested for violating the curfew law after the implementation of the ECQ.   GAN (FREEMAN)