Over 100 nabbed for illegal cockfights amid quarantine

CEBU, Philippines — Amidst the ongoing enhanced community quarantine where social distancing is strictly mandated to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the police have arrested over 100 people in separate operations against illegal cockfighting in the cities of Cebu and Lapu-Lapu.

Lapu-Lapu City Police Office (LCPO) chief Col. Carlito Baja said they have conducted eight operations against cockfighting since the ECQ started and apprehended at least 39 violators.

"Kaning sa tigbakay, illegal cockfighting, kanang mag tapuk-tapok ra sila dayon magdala og manok, dayon magtari," Baja said.

Baja said most of the operations are from the reports of concerned citizens in the barangays.

"Siguro ilang pagtuo di sila mabaw-an, naa may moreport diri nga naay nagtibakay mao ng among adtoan," Baja said.

Meanwhile, Pardo Police Station arrested more than 50 people engaged in illegal cockfighting since the ECQ started. Last Saturday, four people were arrested by the operatives of Pardo Police Station in Sitio Katangkungan, Barangay Basak Pardo.

The suspects were identified as Roland Villarin, 42; Josephus Muñoz Auman, 43; Joe Sirad, 42; and Angelo Caño, 25.

Police Major John Kareen Escober, Pardo Police Station chief, said the suspects had been holding illegal cockfights for the past three weeks until a concerned citizen reported it to them. FPL (FREEMAN)