DESPITE the threat of highly contagious Omicron variant, gamblers always have an inexplicable itch to engage in illegal gambling.
The police, however, always find ways to arrest them.
In Cebu, police arrested a total of 30 persons for participating in illegal cockfighting events., locally known as “tigbakay,” in Pinamungajan town and Carcar City from Jan. 22 to 23.
In Pinamungajan town, four men who are construction workers and motorcycle-for-hire drivers were caught in a brief chase in Sitio Batong, Barangay Tutay.
On Sunday, five more men were caught in Barangays Sambagon and Lamac.
Pinamungajan police chief Maj. Vincent Zozobrado told Superbalita Cebu that they raided the tigbakayan, the place where the illegal cockfighting events took place, after they received a report about the activities.
In Carcar City, police collared 27 men in tigbakayan in Sitio Mowag, Barangay Guadalupe.
Carcar City police chief Lt. Col. Ardioleto Cabagnot said the arrests happened as they intensified their campaign illegal gambling.
Not all sabongeros who participated in tigbakay events in Pinamungajan and Carcar City were arrested—they were able to outrun the police officers.
The police were able to seize some fighting cocks and bet money from those arrested.