Bata Reyes vows to be cautious in accepting invitations after Batangas billiards hall raid

Filipino billiards legend Efren “Bata” Reyes on Thursday said he would now be cautious in accepting invitations after the one he attended in Batangas on Wednesday was raided by policemen for alleged illegal activities.

“Bago pumunta, kapag nakipag-usap, kapag may nag-imbita, kailangan humingi muna sila ng permit sa baranagay, o sa mayor, sa munisipyo, sa mga hepe, ganyan, para hindi nila mapuntahan,” Reyes said in an interview on GMA News’ Unang Balita.

(When someone invites me, they should ask first for a permit from the barangay, mayor, or police chief, to prevent raids.)

“At least meron nang permit. Kapag walang permit, hindi na ako pupunta. Mahirap na. Kailangan may permit tsaka dapat nakapangalan sa kanila,” he added.

(At least there is already a permit. If there is no permit, I will not attend. That’s risky. There should be a permit with their name.)

On Wednesday, police raided a newly opened billiards hall in Santo Tomas, Batangas, where Reyes was in attendance over reports of illegal betting and violation of health protocols.

Reyes said he was just invited as a guest. According to him, the attendees, who came from different places, started betting during the billiards game.

“Bigla lang kasing natakot 'yung mga tao kasi may mga dumating. Bigla silang nagtakbuhan, napasama ako, nasasagi ako. Hinila lang ako ng isang pulis, parang nilagay lang ako sa isang tabi baka raw masaktan ako,” he said.

(The people got scared when authorities arrived at the billiard place. They suddenly ran, I ran too. They were bumping into me. A police grabbed me and brought me to a corner and  said I might get hurt.)

The billiards legend said he was invited to the police station to explain and was sent home afterward.

In March 2021, Reyes was also present when law enforcers raided a billiards event in San Pedro, Laguna for alleged breach in health and safety protocols amid the COVID-19 pandemic. —KBK, GMA News