A spider may be small, but at least it can leave the big house.
Spider fighting was once just an innocent hobby for children then—catching spiders, keeping them in matchboxes, and letting them battle for pride rather than money. It was a playful competition to see whose spider was stronger, but the hobby has taken a darker turn among some adults.
On Tuesday, September 24, 2024, 42 men aged 18 to 42 were arrested for participating in an illegal spider-fighting gambling ring the previous night. The chief of the Parian Police Station reported receiving complaints about loud disturbances in Sitio Lawis, Barangay Lorega San Miguel, Cebu City. Neighbors were unable to sleep due to the noise, only to find the men engaged in a childhood game turned into an adult gambling event. The police arrived and quickly apprehended the suspects, as there was only one narrow path in and out, leaving the men no chance to escape.
Following their arrest, the Parian Police Station detention cell became overcrowded. The authorities seized four makeshift boxes containing 32 live spiders, an improvised spider-fighting arena with sticks and a platform, and a total of P2,470 in bet money. The men are now facing charges under Presidential Decree 1602 for illegal gambling.
There are only a limited number of legal forms of gambling in the Philippines, and spider fighting is not one of them. There is a list of legal gambling, and any forms of gambling that aren’t on the list are immediately considered illegal.
According to Republic Act No. 9147, also known as the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, “to conserve and protect wildlife species and their habitats to promote ecological balance and enhance biological diversity”. Meaning to say, playing with spiders for recreational purposes will receive punishable offenses. So running an illegal spider-fighting site is not fresh news since it has been banned a long time ago. Whoever violates will face charges and penalties:
- First Offense – P500.00
- Second Offense – P1,000.00
- Third Offense will receive P2,000.00 penalty and 3 months imprisonment depending on the court’s decision.
Those unable to pay the fines are required to complete eight hours of community service in the barangay where they were caught. If a suspect is under 18, they must undergo counseling with their parents through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
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