Ilocos cop chiefs ordered: Halt video karera, tupada

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union — Stop video karera and tupada (illegal cockfights) in three days or be relieved from your posts.

This was the warning of Chief Superintendent Alfredo de Vera, the new police director of the Ilocos region, to all provincial directors and police chiefs under his jurisdiction.

"I don’t care who are behind these illegal activities. We must stop them because it is our job to do so," De Vera said when asked if he knew who were protecting these illegal activities.

He said he has received the go-signal of Director General Arturo Lomibao, Philippine National Police chief, about the matter.

Both officials hail from Pangasinan where De Vera admitted video karera is rampant.

Mayors occasionally allow tupada to raise funds during barangay fiestas but within a specific period. But others abuse this by extending these backyard cockfights.

Senior Superintendent Mario Sandiego, Pangasinan police director, said he similarly warned the 48 town and city police chiefs under his command to totally stop illegal gambling.

"We have an all-out drive against video karera and tupada. Although my men have conducted 12 raids since last week, resulting in the confiscation of several machines and the filing of charges in court, I am not yet satisfied until (these forms of illegal gambling are) totally eradicated," Sandiego told The STAR.

Sandiego said the raids were conducted in Urdaneta City, Mangaldan, Calasiao, Manaoag, Urbiztondo and Binmaley.