COCKPIT RAID IN MAUG, BUTUAN CITY

MAUG, BUTUAN CITY - Several residents and barangay officials of Brgy. Maug, Butuan City are appalled after police forces raided the cockpit they opened as part of the activities in the upcoming fiesta in their barangay.

Jamil Casim, a councilman in Brgy. Maug said, the cockpit operation has a permit issued from the Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council), while clarifying they are already aware that cockfighting without a permit is illegal.

However, according to PMAJ. Renel Serrano, a spokesperson in Police Regional Office (PRO) 13, the said barangay doesn’t have pertinent documents, violating the Presidential Decree 449 or Cock Fighting Law of 1974.

Barangay Maug has to comply with the other requirements of the issued permit, as the name therein is of the barangay and not of a certain person, such as assigning policemen to surround the cockfighting area.

Casim said he is also dismayed, alleging the authorities fired guns during the raid. PMAJ. Serrano, reassures PRO 13 is currently investigating the allegations, adding the said barangay can file a complaint about that matter.

In line with this, PRO 13 clarifies the operation conducted was to strengthen the campaign against illegal gambling.