39 men nabbed for “tigbakay”

CEBU, Philippines —  More than 30 persons, including beneficiaries of the government’s social amelioration program,  were arrested for illegal cockfighting commonly known as ‘tigbakay' at Sitio Ragasa, Barangay Bitoon, Daanbantayan and in Liloan, Cebu over the weekend.

Police Corporal Liuche Leyson, investigator on case of the Daanbantayan Police Station, said they will now be filing charges of PD 1602 against all the 31 men caught during the operation.

The tigbakay transpired in an open space near the beach Saturday afternoon.

Four of those who were arrested were identified to be 4Ps beneficiaries, while one remains at large.

Leyson said they have been regularly monitoring some areas especially on weekends, following reports that illegal cockfighting has been going on in these places.

“Permanente man nga naay mo-report sa amoa.  Ang problema kay dili na gyud namo masakpan kay dili man pud ta pwede mo-arrest kung wala tay masakpan. Katong ganina, naaktohan gyud to siya,” she added.

At present, since the detention cell of the station does not meet the capacity of the arrested persons, some of them were placed at the rooftop, however, guarded.

In another incident, eight persons were arrested for the same illegal activity at Sitio Alugbati Tiwasan, Barangay Catarman, Liloan, Cebu by the members of the Provincial Intelligence Unit.

Arrested in the operation were Ramil Wagas Jugalbot, 52; Renato Himal Cabilan, 40; Jay Jay Ompad Mencide, 24; Roque Gallino Fat, 29; June Rey Andriano Hilaria, 31; Reynald Bolo Painagan, 27; Arjie Rosal Anoos, 29; and Julieto Rivera Guañezo, 49.

The arrested persons were from Barangays Catarman and Yati of Liloan town.

Police Lt. Col. Randy Korret and the group recovered two fighting cocks, P1,200 and the two gaffs.

The arrested suspects were brought to the Liloan Police Station for temporary detention, while appropriate charges are prepared against them.   GAN (FREEMAN)