Community credited in fight vs ‘tigbakay’

CEBU, Philippines — Strong cooperation and relationship with the community is the top contribution for the series of raids and arrest of people engaged in illegal cockfighting or ‘tigbakay’ in Cebu Province, said Cebu Provincial Police Office Director Roderick Mariano.

“With our strong relationship with the community, and some others na mga nag-rereport na mga barangay officials, sila na mismo ang mag-rereport sa amin nung mga nag co-conduct ng mga patagong illegal (cockfighting),” Mariano told reporters.

Most of the illegal cockfighting were usually conducted in an open space but in the mountainous areas to hide from the police.

However, with the reports from the community, the law enforcers were able to conduct the operations.

“Lahat ng mga government officials na hindi nahuli during the conduct of the operation ay nag-file kami ng kaso, at large sila,” said Mariano referring to the elected officials who participated in the illegal cockfighting but managed to elude the arrest.

“Lagi kaming nag-wawarning na bawal ang mga social gatherings, lalo na yung illegal gambling.  But despite the warnings, meron pa ring matitigas ang ulo na mga government officials na supposedly sila yong nagpapatupad ng batas katulong ng kapulisan, ay (sila pa ang) nag-uumpisa sa tigbakay,” he added.

With the series of arrests of people and government officials engaged in tigbakay, Mariano said that this will serve as a warning to those who are still participating or planning to join the illegal activity, especially now that some people in the community were actively reporting to the law enforcers.

Mariano also appealed for the public’s cooperation to stop the activities in illegal cockfighting, saying they will not tolerate anyone, especially that there is still an existing problem on COVID-19.

“At alam naman natin na kami sa police, kahit na andito kami sa quarantine na status natin, hindi namin kinakalimutan yung panghuhuli lalo na dyan sa illegal gambing at sa illegal drugs,” said Mariano. — GAN (FREEMAN)