19 arrested for ‘tigbakay’ in Tisa on Black Saturday

CEBU, Philippines —  At least 19 persons were arrested by the operatives of City Intelligence Unit (CIU) of the Cebu City Police Office for illegal cockfighting commonly known as “tigbakay” on Black Saturday in Sitio Tambisan, Barangay Tisa.

Police Lt. Colonel Randy Caballes, CIU chief, said there were also at least 19 others who eluded arrest during the operation.

The arrested individuals whose ages range from 20 to 65 years old were caught on the act of betting. At least two fighting cocks, two gaffs and P2,000 bet money were seized from them.

According to Caballes, the illegal activity has been going on for some time in the area until a concern citizen reported it to their office. This led them to conduct the operation upon validation.

"Gamay-gamay ra man ni nga tawo sa una, then katong gahapon lang kay daghan og tawo kay kini man gud sila layo-layo pa lang makita na dayon, katong mga several attempts (arrest) before, di na gyud sila maabtan," he said.

"Pero gahapon wala na gyud sila makabantay mao ng naabtan gyud...karon ra nila nikusog,karon ra sad sila na ing-ana ka daring kay semana santa," he added.

Initial investigation revealed that these individuals would just informally gather to hold cockfighting. Most of them are residents of the said barangay where they were also arrested while some of them were from neighboring barangays.

Caballes also said that the cockfighting has been planned by the suspects in line with the observance of the Holy Week.

"Katong sa previous weeks naay mga report, pero abot-abot lang," said Caballes.

The police also identified these individuals as first time offenders.

Since Tuesday, Caballes said that the CCPO has released a directive to all police officers to intensify their strict monitoring on the illegal cockfighting in line with Holy Week.

"Padayon gihapon siya, karon lang kay Semana Santa iyang gipanghingusgan kay mao man ni kasagaran sa Semana Santa mga tapok-tapok," said Caballes.

With this number of arrest, Caballes assessed that several individuals in the city would still “take the risk” on the illegal cockfighting despite having a massive campaign against illegal gambling.

"Kay gahapon lang naa sa'y mga stations sad nga naay dakop nga mga tigbakay, despite gidili ug kusog ang dakop, nga manari gud gihapon," said Caballes. — GMR (FREEMAN)