Local officials face raps for joining ‘tigbakay’

CEBU, Philippines —  Seven town officials and barangay captains in Cebu province will face charges after police investigation revealed they took part in an illegal cockfight known locally as “tigbakay” in Daanbantayan town in northern Cebu on July 25, Saturday.

Police Regional Office-7 Director Albert Ignatius Ferro said four of the seven are town councilors while three are barangay captains.

The councilors were identified as Bernardito Luche of Daanbantayan; Buena Pontillas of Tuburan; and Moman Rivera and Abdon Cabahug, both from Borbon.

Meanwhile, the barangay captains were identified as Narciso Osabel of Barangay Maharuhay, Medellin; Arnold Arcipe of Barangay Dayhagon, Medellin; and Rodelo Diamante of Barangay Colonia, Tuburan.

The raid on July 25 in Barangay Bitoon led to the arrest of 31 people but 23 others escaped. 

These officials, including the others arrested, will face charges for illegal gambling and for violating Republic Act 11332 or the Bayanihan Act, which prohibits any form of mass gathering.

Ferro said they have already endorsed the names of the officials to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) for the filing of administrative charges.

“Actually, they should do the necessary police action, meaning, if they should be able to get substantial evidence, they would file a case. That’s my directive nga tanan nga mga local government should not be the leader of the propagation of illegal gambling, especially kanang tigkabay, because it can be one of the causes of the transmission of the virus (My directive is for local governments not to be lead in propagating illegal gambling, especially tigbakay, because that’s one of the ways the virus can spread),” Ferro said.

Ferro warned those in power not to take advantage of their positions because “they are not above the law.”

Ferro admitted being frustrated about what happened, saying the series of lockdowns and protocols in Cebu Province were put to waste by no less than those tasked to implement them.

The executive order issued by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia early this month prohibits all forms of gambling, including cockfighting, in Cebu province during modified general community quarantine (MGCQ).

Garcia also warned officials that they will be held accountable if they are found failing to stop illegal gambling activities, particularly cockfighting or “tigbakay,” in their areas of jurisdiction.

Aside from those arrested in Daanbantayan, the police also arrested eight other people for “tigbakay” in Liloan town also on July 25. JMO (FREEMAN)