Police in Minglanilla, Cebu, have apprehended two sisters wanted for their alleged involvement in illegal online cockfighting, marking the first arrests from a larger group of 40 individuals.
Sisters Apprehended in Barangay Pakigne
Authorities from the Minglanilla Municipal Police Station captured the two women, known by the aliases Honey and Hiezel, at around 9:30 PM on Monday, December 1, 2025. The arrest took place in Purok Vietnam Rose, Barangay Pakigne, within Minglanilla city, where both sisters reside.
The duo faces charges for violating Section 1(A)(1) of Presidential Decree 1602 in relation to Section 6 of Republic Act 10175, commonly known as the Anti-Cybercrime Law. The specific accusation is conducting illegal gambling operations through online sabong.
Warrant Stemmed from 2022 Cybercrime Raid
The legal basis for their arrest is a warrant issued by Judge Benison Mantos Mahawan, the Presiding Judge of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) 7th Judicial Region, Branch 76 in Naga City. The warrant was dated September 30, 2025.
According to Police Lieutenant Colonel Maria Theresa Macatangay, Chief of the Minglanilla Police Station, this warrant originated from a search warrant operation conducted much earlier. On September 16, 2022, the Police Regional Office (PRO) 7, together with the PNP Cybercrime Unit 7 and other police units, targeted a cockpit arena that was promoting and facilitating sabong bets online.
That 2022 operation initially led to the filing of cases against 40 people. The arrest of the sisters represents the first successful apprehension from that original list of suspects.
Bail Granted and Manhunt Continues
Following their arrest, both sisters were allowed to post bail. Each was granted temporary freedom after posting a bail bond worth P36,000.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Macatangay clarified that the Minglanilla Police Station is not the only law enforcement body holding copies of the arrest warrants for the 40 accused. She has now organized a tracker team dedicated to locating and capturing the remaining 38 wanted persons, ensuring they face the court that issued the warrants.
The case highlights the ongoing efforts of Philippine authorities to combat illegal gambling, particularly its migration to online platforms, using laws like RA 10175 to address these cyber-enabled crimes.
