Lock-up cells await ‘spider fight’ bettors
Spider fights, locally known as “paupas,” with money bets involved is also a form of illegal gambling activity thus, the Iloilo City Government has ordered the arrest of those involved in it.
Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog has instructed the Iloilo City Police Office to implement the order immediately.
“We want to regulate the proliferation of this game particularly among students,” he said.
Some students are cutting classes just to join “spider fights,” he said.
Mabilog said those who are selling these spiders will be arrested, too.
Aside from this, Mabilog said he wants also to preserve these predators that help kill mosquitoes, and brown plant hoppers that have infested ricefields in Iloilo.
According to the Department of Agriculture 6, one spider can eat 25 mosquitoes or planthoppers a day.
“Spiders play a big role in our ecosystem so we need to conserve these predators because we are also the major benefactors,” the mayor said.
Senior Supt. Dennis Basngi, city police director, said he has already directed all six police station chiefs to follow the mayor’s order.*MGC
