Sunday, March 18, 2007 Lamtang asks for suspension of cockfight in Benguet town
THE OPERATOR of the Lamtang Cockpit in La Trinidad is appealing the decision of this town's council to grant another amusement center the authority to hold cockfights.
Ike Bello, operator of Lamtang cockpit, appeared before the municipal council and asked its members to reconsider the authority they gave to the Shilan Multipurpose Sports Complex to do cockfighting activities.
Bello told the legislative body that he finally found the franchise of the Lamtang cockpit.
"I ask you to temporarily suspend the (implementation of the) resolution granting Shilan the permit to conduct cockfights so we could come up with a possible compromise agreement," Bello appealed.
He said he would be willing to "co-exist" with Shilan if only to earn a decent living for his family and to give livelihood to other people whom he claimed have been benefiting from Lamtang's operations.
Cockfighting at Lamtang stopped in January after the municipal government failed to issue a permit for its operations.
Last September, the municipal council passed a resolution giving Shilan the authority to hold cockfights.
It may be recalled that Lamtang filed a legal suit against the conduct of cockfights in Shilan, claiming the former has the sole authority to operate a cockpit.
Shilan was not given any permit when Lamtang challenged its operations. The case is still pending before a local court.
Bello said he was able to find the franchise issued by the Game Fowl Commission to Lamtang only last month and submitted this as part of the evidences on the pending case.
He is seeking for a compromise agreement between the operator of Shilan, the municipal council and Lamtang regarding the conduct of cockfights before the court renders its decision.(Jane Cadalig)
