Lapu-Lapu residents warned: Don’t engage in tigbakay, you may end up in jail

‘No objection permit’ from LGU won’t stop cops from raiding illegal cockfighting held in your areas — police

Police Lieutenant Christian Torres, spokesperson of the Lapu-Lapu City Police (LCPO), says that illegal cockfigting or tigbakay will be raided if held in the barangays. | Futch Anthony Inso

LAPU-LAPU CITY, Philippines — Police have warned Oponganons not to engage in tigbakay or illegal cockfighting because they will go to jail if they will be caught being involved in this illegal activity.

Police Lieutenant Christian Torres, spokesperson of the Lapu-Lapu City Police (LCPO), gave this warning as the city observes the upcoming All Saints Day and the All Souls Day on November 1 and 2, and celebrates the city’s fiesta on November 20 and 21.

READ: Tigbakay raid: 14 men caught in Paril to spend weekend in jail 

No objection from LGU

Torres said that they had noted that some barangays and organizers of tigbakay were requesting that for a ‘no objection’ to the activity from the Mayor’s Office in city hall.

He said that even if they had secured permits or such documents from city hall to hold the activity, these still would not stop them [police] from conducting operations against illegal cockfighting, especially if they would receive a complaint from the public.

READ: Catmon raid: Barangay captain, 3 others nabbed for illegal cockfighting

How police will stop tigbakay

“Naay mokuha og permit, pero dili gyud na ma-consider nga permit. No ojection lang sa side sa LGU, pero kung naay moreklamo, pwede natong mapahunong,” Torres said.

(There are those who would get a permit, but that cannot be considered a permit. That will be only be a no objection on the side of the LGU, but if there will be someone who would complain, then we can stop the activity.)

READ: Retired cop, 7 others arrested for tigbakay in Brgy Calamba

Six Lapu-Lapu residents nabbed for tigbakay

Last week, six individuals from Barangays Buaya and Pusok were caught by the policemen of the LCPO for conducting illegal cockfighting.

“Katong mga hilig og tigbakay, as much as possible, adto na lang mo sa legal nga area. Dili na lang ta magkawat-kawat og tigbakay kay kung madakpan ta, problema na sab ta og piyansa,” he said.

(Those who like illegal cockfighting, as much as possible, you just bet on area that is legal. We should not surreptitiously engage in illegal cockfighting because if we are caught, then we will again have a problem on how to get money for our bail.)

The six individuals, who were caught last week, have been released, however, after they each posted a P10,000 bail.

READ: PNP wants ‘e-sabong’ classified as illegal gambling