8 Koreans in Laguna dogfight gambling nabbed

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna  ,Philippines – Eight Koreans engaged in illegal gambling involving pitbulls were arrested in separate police operations in San Pablo City and Calauan, Laguna, last Friday.

A police report identified the suspects as Lee Gwi Woo, 21; Jeong Yeon Hwal, 31; Noh Min Chul, 44; Lee Kyung Won, 31; Kim Young Hwan, 29; Hyun Ho Han, 45; Hong Jeong Oh, 43; and Kim Do Kyung, 41.

The police, accompanied by representatives of the Philippine Animal Welfare Society, seized more than 300 pitbulls from the suspects. 

Senior Superintendent Gilbert Cruz, Laguna police director, said the arrested Koreans were the same group of online dogfight operators arrested in Indang, Cavite last Dec. 3. Police said the suspects were released after they posted bail.

In a related development, Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago has pushed for stiffer penalties against those committing cruelty to animals.

“Animal welfare groups have been trying to assist law enforcers in the prosecution of the perpetrators. Unfortunately, the organizations fear that their conviction would not deter similar acts in the future because the current law provides for miniscule penalties,” Santiago said.

“The public sentiment in favor of better treatment for animals must be translated into public policy. Thus, there is a need to put more teeth into the law against those who engage and trade on animal cruelty,” Santiago said.

The senator noted that Republic Act 8845 or the Animal Welfare Act of 1998, penalizes cruelty to animals with an imprisonment of six months to two years and only a P1,000 fine.

Santiago’s proposed measure increases the prison term to five years and fine to at least P20,000. The bill also provides immediate deportation of a foreigner found guilty of the offense.