NBI Cracks Down on Illegal Cockfighting Operation in Southern Cebu
In a dramatic scene reminiscent of a "fun run," more than 100 individuals scattered in various directions as agents from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Region 7 conducted a raid on an illicit cockfighting event, locally known as tigbakay. The operation took place on Thursday, March 26, 2026, in Sitio Bonbon, Barangay Ocaña, located in Carcar City, southern Cebu.
Arrests and Seizures in the Raid
Authorities apprehended 15 people during the raid, including bettors, handlers, and game operators. The NBI agents confiscated fighting cocks, gambling money, and other equipment used in the illegal activity. The Philippine Games and Amusement Board has confirmed that these events were unauthorized, highlighting the severity of the operation.
Investigation Reveals Coordinated Network
The raid was initiated based on a tip from a concerned citizen received on March 10. Following an investigation, NBI 7 supervising agent Gregorio Algoso revealed that the bureau uncovered what appears to be a well-organized network of illegal cockfights spanning multiple villages within Carcar City.
"We have already noticed several tigbakay in different barangays. It seems there is fairly coordinated scheduling of tigbakay in different barangays within the City of Carcar. There’s a time also that in one day there were two barangays simultaneously holding tigbakays," Algoso stated on Friday, March 27.
He further explained that the NBI is working to identify the masterminds behind this systemic operation, noting that while they have preliminary information about coordinators in each barangay, verification is ongoing to dismantle the network effectively.
Calls for Local Government Action
Agent Algoso emphasized the need for the local government unit (LGU) to adopt a more proactive approach in combating these illegal activities. "The LGU is denying it, but they should have done something about it," he asserted, urging greater collaboration to address the issue.
Suspect's Defiance and Public Appeal
Among those arrested was a 61-year-old man who remained unrepentant, claiming he was merely seeking entertainment. He stated that while this was his first time being jailed after multiple arrests, he did not regret it due to the decent conditions. However, he vowed to shift to legal cockpits in the future, citing the allure of prizes.
As the detainees appealed for release ahead of Holy Week, NBI 7 information officer Maria Contessa Lastimoso made a public appeal. She encouraged the community to prioritize family needs over gambling, especially in light of rising living costs, underscoring the broader social implications of such illegal activities.
