BY RUBY P. SILUBRICO
ILOILO City – In Barangay Calajunan, Mandurriao district, the police arrested a man for illegal gambling over the weekend.
The 40-year-old Rolly Tamagos of Barangay Pali, Mandurriao was caught betting for a spider in a spider derby. His other companions, however, eluded arrest.
Cops took Tamagos to the Mandurriao police station around 5 p.m.
Spider fighting (pahibag damang) is a popular blood sport among rural Filipinos. The game begins by placing two spiders at opposite ends of a stick. The spiders are then prodded to move along the length of the stick until they encounter each other and fight.
Others, however, have turned spider fighting into gambling. They would place bets on their favored spiders.
In Iloilo province last month, 1st District Provincial Board member Valentin Serag called for a ban on the collection and trade of spiders, and spider wrestling.
Serag, chairman of the committee on agriculture, stressed the importance of spiders in the elimination of mosquitoes that spread Zika, dengue and chikungunya diseases.
“We must have a balanced ecosystem. Each member of the ecosystem has a function. Spiders have, too. They can help minimize the mosquito population,” said Serag./PN
