DAVAO OCCIDENTAL – Authorities dismantled an alleged illegal horse-fighting operation in Santa Maria, Davao Occidental, resulting in the arrest of four suspects, the rescue of seven horses, and the confiscation of approximately ₱1.2 million worth of gambling money and paraphernalia during a multi-agency law enforcement operation.
The operation was carried out on July 10, 2026, at around 3:38 p.m. in Sitio Sala-Sala, Barangay Buca, Sta. Maria, Davao Occidental, through the joint efforts of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Davao Occidental Provincial Field Unit, CIDG Regional Field Unit 11, CIDG Davao del Sur, CIDG Davao City, the National Bureau of Investigation–Environmental Crime Division (NBI-EnCD) Headquarters, the Animal Kingdom Foundation (AKF), the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office XI (DA RFO XI), and territorial police units.
The coordinated operation targeted alleged violations of Republic Act No. 8485, or the Animal Welfare Act of 1998, as amended by Republic Act No. 10631, as well as Presidential Decree No. 1602, which penalizes illegal gambling.
Authorities arrested four male suspects, all of legal age, who were allegedly caught in the act of participating in an illegal horse-fighting event.
During the raid, law enforcement personnel also rescued seven live horses, consisting of four stallions and three mares, believed to have been used in the illegal activity.
Confiscated from the operation were betting money, a money-counting machine, trophies, and various gambling paraphernalia, with authorities estimating the total value of the seized items at ₱1,200,000.
According to a report submitted to CIDG Director PMGEN Robert A.A. Morico II, the suspects were allegedly engaged in horse fighting, an activity prohibited under the Animal Welfare Act due to the cruelty and exploitation inflicted on animals.
Morico stressed that the Philippine government remains committed to protecting animal welfare by regulating and supervising facilities involved in the breeding, maintenance, treatment, and training of animals, whether for commercial purposes or as household pets.
He emphasized that Republic Act No. 10631, which strengthened the Animal Welfare Act, was enacted to protect both the physical and psychological well-being of animals by criminalizing acts of cruelty, abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
Following the operation, the seven rescued horses were turned over to the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office XI for proper care, custody, veterinary assessment, and appropriate disposition.
CIDG officials said the successful operation not only resulted in the arrest of alleged law violators but also prevented the continuation of illegal horse-fighting activities and associated gambling operations in the area.
The CIDG leadership commended the efforts of CIDG Regional Field Unit 11, headed by PLTCOL Ariel T. Huesca, and the CIDG Davao Occidental Provincial Field Unit, led by PMAJ Jocyviel S. Zamora, together with personnel from the participating agencies, for the successful implementation of the operation.
Authorities underscored that the operation demonstrated the value of inter-agency collaboration in combating crimes involving animal cruelty and illegal gambling while ensuring the welfare of rescued animals.
The CIDG reiterated its commitment to aggressively enforce laws protecting animals and suppress illegal gambling activities nationwide. It also encouraged the public to report incidents involving animal abuse, illegal horse fighting, dog fighting, and other forms of unlawful gambling in their communities, assuring that reports will be acted upon promptly by law enforcement authorities.