Spiders put 46 persons in web of troubles

Local

FOR placing bets on spiders locally known as “kaka,” close two 50 persons found themselves in a web of troubles.

Forty-six persons have been arrested in the past two days after they were caught placing bets on spider derby in separate areas in Cebu City.

Police first arrested 42 persons on Monday night, September 23, after they were caught gambling using spiders in a house in Barangay Lorega San Miguel, Cebu City.

Maj. Marvin Fegarido, chief of the Parian Police Station, said the illegal gambling activity was reported through the 911 national hotline.

People shouting in a house caught the attention of the neighborhood. It turned out that the noise was caused by a spider derby, prompting a concerned citizen to call the police.

“Someone called the station through 911, reporting that there were people who were gambling through spider fighting so our personnel responded,” Fegarido said.

Fegarido said all persons in the house were handcuffed as the arrival of the police caught them by surprise.

Fegarido said 32 live spiders placed in separate small boxes and P2,470 cash were seized.

An improvised device used as a spider fighting arena was also confiscated.

A certain Jipoy, one of the arrested persons, could only shake his head after he was cornered by the police.

“Lingaw-lingaw raman unta to akoa kay naagi rako ba nya nada naman ko sa kahig kay nag tan-aw man, wala may kadaganan kay balay man to (It was just for fun. I just happened to pass by and decided to watch. There was no chance to run because we got trapped inside the house),” said Jipoy.

Apart from the charges that he will be facing, Jipoy feared that he might be fired from work as the arrest would prevent him from reporting for duty.

Four other persons were also arrested for the same offense in Barangay Punta Princesa, Cebu City on Tuesday night, September 24. Another man was able to escape.

Police sized an improvised spider fighting ring, cash worth P2,090, and six live spiders.

Maj. Eraño Regidor, chief of the Labangon Police Station, said the arrest came after they received a report of an ongoing spider derby.

The arrested persons will be charged for violation of Presidential Decree No. 1602, a law that penalizes illegal gambling.(CDB)