Isko calls out Caloocan barangay execs for illegal cockfighting

MANILA, Philippines — Mayor Isko Moreno yesterday called for the arrest of a barangay captain and three councilmen or kagawads in Caloocan for allegedly leading an illegal cockfighting activity in Manila Friday. 

In his Facebook Live address, Moreno identified the officials as Barangay 129 captain Brix John Reyes and kagawads Alfie Lacson, Romualdo Reyes and John Cris Domingo.

In a city hall vehicle, Moreno went around Barangay 129 in Caloocan yesterday calling for the barangay officials to surrender.

“Please tell your chairman to surrender to the city government of Manila,” Moreno said over speakers in Caloocan yesterday.

They were allegedly caught engaged in the illegal cockfighting game “tupada” with Christopher Fernandez, Ronnie Ignacio and two persons only known with their aliases “Kabron” and “Mac Mac.”

“They are not only from another city, they went gambling in a cemetery… without respect to the law and the crisis we are facing. I will treat them like regular criminals if they will not surrender to authorities,” Moreno said.

In a statement, Caloocan Mayor Oscar Malapitan called on the barangay officials to surrender to the police and explain their side.

“We will not tolerate these illicit activities of our officials. We will conduct an investigation and I will not hesitate to file charges so they may be suspended,” Malapitan said.             

The barangay officials surrendered to Malapitan yesterday afternoon.