Arcilla wants clear rules for Fiesta Cockfights after police raid

The Cebu City Council is set to review the legality of traditional game fowl activities held during barangay fiestas following the arrest of about 50 individuals for alleged illegal gambling despite reports that organizers had secured a permit from the Cebu City Government.

Councilor Alvin Arcilla filed a proposed resolution, which has been included in the agenda for the City Council’s regular session on July 21, seeking a legal review of existing laws governing fiesta cockfights and similar traditional activities.

The measure asks the City Council’s Committee on Laws to determine whether current laws allow any exemption, regulation, or authorization for traditional game fowl activities conducted during barrio fiestas and whether the city has the legal authority to permit such events.

The proposal stems from a recent police operation during a barangay fiesta in Cebu City, where around 50 participants were arrested for allegedly engaging in illegal gambling. Reports indicated that the event organizer had obtained a city permit before the activity, raising questions about the legal effect of local permits when national gambling laws may apply.

According to the resolution, each of those arrested reportedly faces a P30,000 penalty.

Arcilla said the incident has created uncertainty among barangays, fiesta organizers, and residents regarding whether traditional game fowl activities, which have long been part of some local fiesta celebrations, may still be legally conducted.

“The incident has created uncertainty among barangays, fiesta organizers, and the general public regarding whether traditional game fowl activities customarily held during barrio fiestas may be lawfully conducted and, if so, under what legal authority, conditions, or limitations,” the resolution stated.

The councilor said obtaining a clear legal opinion would help ensure that cultural traditions are observed in accordance with the law while protecting organizers and participants who may have relied in good faith on permits issued by the city government.

If approved, the Committee on Laws will study whether existing national laws provide any legal basis for exempting, regulating, or authorizing traditional game fowl activities during barrio fiestas.

The committee will also determine whether Cebu City may legally adopt its own regulatory measures for such events or whether any changes would require legislation at the national level.

Arcilla’s proposal further directs the committee to recommend possible legislative or administrative measures that could establish clear guidelines for barangays, fiesta organizers, and government agencies to prevent similar incidents while ensuring compliance with existing laws.

Under current practice, authorities often file charges involving illegal cockfighting under Presidential Decree No. 449, or the Cockfighting Law of 1974, as amended, in relation to Presidential Decree No. 1602, which imposes stiffer penalties for illegal gambling depending on the circumstances of each case.

The proposed review comes as law enforcement agencies continue to intensify operations against illegal cockfighting activities across Cebu.

During the Holy Week observance earlier this year, police arrested 79 individuals in separate anti-illegal gambling operations throughout Cebu Province after they allegedly participated in illegal cockfighting, locally known as tigbakay.

In Cebu City, authorities also arrested 12 men in Sitio Kasagingan, Barangay Guadalupe, on Maundy Thursday after responding to reports of an illegal cockfight involving about 50 participants. Several suspects reportedly escaped before police arrived at the scene.

The City Council is expected to deliberate on Arcilla’s resolution during its regular session, with the proposed legal review aimed at clarifying the status of traditional game fowl activities during fiestas and preventing similar disputes in the future.