TLDR Mayor Nestor Archival ordered police to increase checks on illegal gambling in Cebu City. Officers will verify permits for small town lottery, Lotto, e-Sabong, cockfighting and similar games. The order came after about 50 people were arrested at a barangay fiesta cockfight. A city councilor asked for a review of laws covering fiesta cockfighting events. Senator Chiz Escudero filed a bill to ban gambling ads across the country.
Mayor Nestor Archival has directed the Cebu City Police Office to step up monitoring of illegal gambling. The order targets operators who run games without proper permits or licenses.
Archival gave the directive during a briefing with police officials. Attendees included CCPO Officer-in-Charge Col. Ricky Sumalde and City Councilor Paul Labra.
Police from all 13 city stations were told to check permits for several types of games. These include small town lottery, Lotto, e-Sabong and cockfighting.
What Police Will Check
Officers will confirm whether operators hold valid permits, licenses and clearances. This applies to all gambling activities listed in the mayor’s order.
Cockfighting events will also be checked against Cebu City Ordinance 1447. That ordinance was later amended by City Ordinance 2806.
The rules cover licensing for cockpits, allowed activities and requirements for cockfighting officials. They also set limits on where such events can be held.
The directive follows an incident at a barangay fiesta. Police arrested around 50 people there for alleged illegal gambling tied to a cockfighting event.
Organizers of that event said they had already obtained a city permit. The case has raised questions about what permits actually cover under national law.
City Councilor Alvin Arcilla has proposed a resolution in response. It asks the City Council Committee on Laws to study whether the city can regulate fiesta cockfighting.
The review would also aim to