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VOLUME XXII No. 21
Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines
December 2, 2007 issue
 

Bohol PNP head in “Cloud 9” in campaign vs illegal gambling

 

 

Police Senior Superintendent Edgardo Ingking appeared to be in ‘Cloud 9”, in his relentless campaign against all forms of illegal gambling that he included the well-entrenched turf of cockfighting. This was the message he delivered when he met with all cockpit owners and operators of cockpits in Bohol to a meeting on November 29. The drive against cockfighting complimented Col. Ingking's campaign against Swertres where he created inroads resulting in financiers lying low their operations. It appeared that Ingking was dead serious in stamping out all forms of gambling. Cockfight aficionados have their heydays when almost everyday cockfights were held unabated. Until Ingking came into the picture and delivered the message that he meant business in stopping unauthorized cockfights..

Unauthorized cockfights are those held outside Sundays. Cockfights were also prohibited during legal holidays like Christmas Day, New Year's Day, etc.. Cockfights held outside of Sundays may be allowed only if they are on occasion of the town fiesta. At least three days on, during or after the town fiesta, cockfights are allowed in accordance with Presidential Decree 449. During the meeting held at the conference room of Bohol PPO, Provincial Legal Officer lawyer Handel Lagunay categorically stated to the cockpit operators and managers that Presidential Decree No. 449 is alive and a valid law and is in full effect and even the Supreme Court has issued its landmark ruling on its validity and constitutionality.

The strict implementation of the cockfighting law as mandated in the Executive Order of Gov. Erico Aumentado under Executive Orders 02-2002 and 02-A-2003 was the main issue raised by the cockpit operators and their legal counsels who also attended. The cockpit legal counsels included Attys. Alexander Lim, Giselo Galido, Jimmy Jimenez and former board member Felix Uy of Baclayon. They said the operations of their respective cockpits other than Sunday is legal in the sense that it is supported with a resolution or ordinance from the Sangguniang Bayans of their respective towns. However, Supt. Inking explained that the PNP Bohol is just implementing the law without fear or favor and without prejudice to those who are caught violating the law. After presenting the respective issues, cockpit operators and owners requested that they be allowed to promote cockfighting on days other than Sundays until December 31, 2007 in order that they could recover their losses in the business since their respective business permits and licenses issued by the Local Government Units will expire on such date.

For part, Lagunay, proposed to the cockpit operators to file a formal request to the Governor of Bohol to allow them momentarily until December 31, their usual operations to hold cockfights as he will assist them in such request to the Governor of Bohol. DILG Provincial Director Rose Mascarinas also aired his support on the campaign against illegal gambling particularly in the cockpit operation and explained to the cockpit operators on the legality of the campaign of the PNP and to avoid the consequence of the law if violated, they operators and owners must adhere on it. The meeting ended with a fruitful discussion and with the cockpit operators and owners expressing their willingness to support the move of the PNP Provincial Director in weeding out illegal cockfighting activities and other form of illegal gambling in the city and province of Bohol .

 
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