THE 324 cockfighters who were caught in a police raid in Mandaue City by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group 7 have pleaded guilty Friday, Aug. 9, 2019.
Mandaue City Criminal Investigation Detection Unit chief P/Maj. Edwin Lacostales said the court’s verdict was to detain for three days the sabongeros who were apprehended in the D&C Coliseum, located in Barangay Ibabao-Estancia.
But because they have already been detained for four days since their arrest on Monday, Aug. 5, the court has decided to release them without paying the P1,500 fine.
“They’ve already served five days (or more than what was adjudged) in jail. That’s why they’ve been released,” Lacostales said in Tagalog.
The 15 cockpit workers who were also apprehended, on the other hand, have pleaded not guilty and will file an appeal before the court.
The court, though, has allowed them to post bail.
Among those who were released from detention was Rene (not his real name).
While he may no longer have a job to return to after the motor company that he worked for had terminated his services, Rene was happy to finally be able to come home.
Had it not been for his friend’s invitation to bet on the latter’s gamecock, Rene said he would not have been among those who were caught in the raid Monday afternoon.
While he learned his lesson the hard way, this does not mean that Rene will no longer join any cockfighting activities since this is his pastime.
“I will still bet on cockfights, but I won’t be doing it anymore on weekdays because I might get apprehended again,” he said in Cebuano.
After the court ordered their release, the sabongeros went their separate ways with big smiles on their faces.
The sabongeros were apprehended for violating Presidential Decree (PD) 449, which allows cockfighting only on Sundays and special holidays. Cockpits can also operate during fiestas, but not for more than three days.
PD 449 bans cockfighting on Rizal Day, National Heroes Day, Independence Day, Holy Thursday, Holy Friday, Election Day or Referendum Day and during Registration Days for such election or referendum.
Authorities, though, had noticed that cockfights were held in the Mandaue City cockpit every day.
In an earlier interview, lawyer Jamaal Calipayan, the chief of staff of Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes, said the cockpit owned by the mayor’s siblings is operating with a license.
He added that the cockpit was issued a permit by the City Government, which allows it to hold cockfights thrice a week. Every month, the management secures a permit from City Hall to hold the fights.
“Based on our 1998 ordinance, this is allowable for charitable and social purposes. But we will review our ordinance and abide by the recommendations of CIDG (Criminal Investigation and Detection Group). In the meantime, we will suspend the effectivity of our permits pending review of the ordinance,” Calipayan said. (RTF)