By Mae Singuay

Around 16 individuals were arrested for allegedly engaging in illegal gambling and cockfighting activities at Barangay Nabalian in Negros Occidental’s Himamaylan City on Sunday, April 23.

Elements of Himamaylan City police apprehended Ricky Casisi, Nenito Bolivar, Ugie Superal, Micheal Paul Gonzales, Shalwin Gante, Peter Jhon Celestial, and Dominador Crispe, all residents of Binalbagan town; and Rudy Endoso, Joeffrey Vega, Nikko Peleno, Joefren Ursua, Ricky Magsito, and Jeyfee Hortellosa, all of Himamaylan, for violation of Presidential Decree (PD) 449, which prohibits holding of unlicensed cockfights.

Meanwhile, Joniel Trinidad and Robert Endoso, both residents of Himamaylan, and Gonsalo Casisi of Binalbagan were also arrested for violation of PD 1602, or the anti-illegal gambling law.

The police operation was led by Major Ellendie Rebusquillo, deputy chief of Himamaylan City Police Station.

Confiscated during the operation were P960 bet money, three fighting cocks, two P5 coins, and concrete board (tumbu-an).

The suspects were detained at the city police station./MS, WDJ