300 nabbed for illegal gambling
CEBU, Philippines — Three hundred people were arrested for illegal gambling after they were caught engaging in “tigbakay” or illegal cockfighting activities.
The arrests were done by the Cebu Police Provincial Office’s intelligence unit from July to present in different areas in the province.
The recent operation was on Friday afternoon in Barangay Libio, Tabogon town, resulting in the arrest of 41 individuals.
The illegal cockfighting was reportedly conducted in celebration of the sitio’s annual fiesta.
The arrested men are detained at the Tabogon Police Station detention cell pending the filing of illegal gambling charges.
Lieutenant Colonel Randy Korret, the unit chief, said the arrested individuals are set to post bail and might be released on Tuesday.
He said illegal gambling continues throughout the province, especially on weekends.
"Kaya nga tuloy-tuloy yung operations natin halos every week na. Usually weekends talaga sila nag (tigbakay)," Korret said.
He said only 30 percent operating capacity of the cockpit is allowed based on the guidelines of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.
The IATF has already allowed cockfighting in areas under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ).
However, local government units will still have the last say as to whether the operation of licensed cockpits and cockfighting can proceed in their respective localities.
The return of cockfighting also comes with several caveats — there can be no live audiences, online or remote betting, or the live broadcast of cockfights. — KQD (FREEMAN)
- Latest
