THE barangay officials of Lipayran, an island barangay in Bantayan, northern Cebu, face the risk of being charged with administrative complaints for their alleged failure to stop an illegal cockfighting event, locally known as “tigbakay,” on Saturday afternoon, Aug. 28, 2021.
Seven people, mostly fishermen, were arrested by the police during the raid, which happened past 5 p.m.
Bantayan Police Station Chief Maj. Windell Abellana said they will submit a report to the municipal office of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, saying the barangay officials neglected their duty to discipline their constituents amid the pandemic.
A team from the Bantayan Police Station sailed to the island barangay after receiving a report about the illegal cockfighting event in Sitio Tabunok.
After two hours of sea travel, the team arrived in the area. Abellana said they saw around 50 people. The participants and audience sprinted to different directions after noticing the police officers.
However, Abellana’s team was still able to arrest seven men—Raul Pepito Ponteras, 54; Emelio Pabuaya dela Peña; Isidro Necesario Salundaguit, 57; Junrey Jamili Mabug-at Sr., 41; Jeffrey Casipong Pugoy, 34; Ricky Alolod Villafuente, 39; and Eric Mancao Paglinawan, 36.
The police seized two live roosters and two dead ones.
Abellana believed that the barangay officials had knowledge about the illegal activity. Last Friday, Aug. 27, the maritime police also caught men engaging in illegal cockfighting.
All activities that attract a crowd are prohibited amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
The arrested men will face complaints for illegal gambling. (AYB / KAL)