Garcia, city police chief sued for hotel cockfights

Local

COMPLAINTS were filed against Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia and the city’s police chief after they allegedly permitted cockfighting events at a posh hotel at the South Road Properties.

The complaints against Garcia and Col. Antonietto Cañete were filed by a former Cebuy City official on November 18 before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas.

The complainant, Kristian Hassamal, former head of the Cebu City Local School Board and Department of General Services, noted that the cockfights were held at Nustar Resort and Casino which is not a registered cockpit arena.

Hassamal alleged that Garcia issued Letters of No Objection (LONO) to Ox KBDF Gaming, the organizer behind the cockfights held on April 21, May 23-24, August 27-29, and October 11-18 this year.

Hassamal accused Garcia of bypassing legal procedures to facilitate the events, which he claimed violated Presidential Decree 449 and Cebu City Ordinance 1447.

He pointed out that the venue lacked the necessary license for cockfighting, the events occurred on weekdays without approval from the Gamefowl Commission, and the allowed number of cockfighting days was exceeded.

He also alleged that organizers failed to obtain required resolutions from the City Council and prior consent from the barangay.

Despite the City Council’s rejection of the October derby, Hassamal said the event proceeded under the claim that a permit had been granted by the Games and Amusement Board (GAB).

He argued that Garcia’s issuance of LONOs was instrumental in enabling the violations.

Hassamal also criticized Cañete, accusing him of failing to enforce laws that should have prevented the events. He alleged that the police chief’s inaction constituted a violation of Article 208 of the Revised Penal Code.

As evidence, Hassamal submitted promotional materials, social media posts, and video recordings showing the cockfighting events at the hotel.

He also requested subpoenas for witnesses, including representatives from the Gamefowl Commission, the City Council, and Nustar Resort, as well as related documents such as special permits and resolutions.

Hassamal called for the preventive suspension and eventual dismissal of both Garcia and Cañete, citing Section 24 of Republic Act 6770.

He also urged the filing of graft charges against Garcia under the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and penal code charges against Cañete.

In response, Garcia said he would wait to review the complaint before issuing a statement. He previously remarked that he anticipated further allegations from the camp of dismissed mayor Michael Rama as the 2025 elections draw near.(MyTVCebu)