Police swoop on cockfights, none arrested

CEBU, Philippines - The police raided two Cebu City barangays following reports of illegal cockfighting.

The first area raided by elements of the Mobile Patrol Group was Sitio Back Guani, Barangay Pahina Central following a call from a certain Danny Garrudy and a concerned citizen at 2:45 pm. 

Before reaching the improvised cockpit, responding policemen had to walk through narrow alleyways, enough for only one person to pass through.

The cockpit was put up on a vacant lot in the interior portion of the barangay where close to 50 men were gathered. Not a single fighting cock was seen at the site when the police arrived.

A resident of the place told The FREEMAN that the cockfighting was part of their sitio’s fiesta celebration today.

When asked who organized the cockfighting, the resident did not reply.

PO3 Joseph Victorioso, one of the responding officers from Carbon Police Station, told The FREEMAN that organizers of the cockfighting showed “a permit” reportedly issued by Barangay Captain Carlo Yap. 

Yap was not available for comment yesterday.

Victorioso, however said that though the group presented a permit, the cockpit had to be dismantled because it was illegal.

“Bisan nakapakita sila’g permit kuno gikan sa barangay, amo gihapon to gub-on ang ruedahan (cockpit),” he said. (Even if they were able to show a permit from the barangay, we will still destroy the cockpit.)

Roughly half an hour later, the police also raided another cockpit at Barangay Lahug, a few meters from the barangay hall.

No one was apprehended after all have dispersed even before the policemen arrived.

Officials from Barangay Lahug cannot be reached for comment yesterday.

Last Friday, policemen also raided a compound in Barangay Mambaling for the same activity.

Based on existing policies, the city mayor is the one allowed to release permits for cockfighting.

However, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama has already expressed that he does not support such activities in the city.

Presidential Decree 449 or the Cockfighting Law of 1974 is the only legislated policy which aims to regulate cock fighting in the country.  

According to the law, it was originally conceived as a national recreation, relaxation and source of entertainment; provide revenue for the government and preserve the traditions that enhance our national identity.

Further, the law only allows holding of cock fights, derby, or ‘tupada’ (in licensed cockpits) during Sundays and legal holidays and during local fiestas for not more than three days.

It may also be held during provincial, city or municipal, agricultural, commercial or industrial fair, carnival or exposition for a similar period of three days upon resolution of the province, city or municipality where such fair, carnival or exposition is to be held, said the law.   - (THE FREEMAN)