12 persons caught in illegal cockfight

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Twelve persons were arrested conducting an illegal cockfight afternoon of May 9, 2020 in Maasin, Iloilo.

Police Major Fernand Limbungan, Maasin police chief, said about 50 cockfight enthusiasts were in the area but most of them fled.

The area where the illegal cockfight took place was a makeshift cockpit in the middle of a forested portion of Barangay Panalian, a hinterland village bordering Maasin and Janiuay towns.

Panalian is around 20 kilometers from Maasin town proper.

Limbungan said 10 of those arrested are residents of Janiuay while two are from Maasin.

“That’s why the operation was conducted by both the Maasin and Janiuay Police Stations,” he said.

Police recovered seven heads of game fowls, four of which were already dead.

Limbungan said they heard about the operations a few weeks back.

“But they changed their venue from time to time. Usually, they had it at a secluded area away from the town proper,” he said.

Aside from the 12 persons, another two persons will also be charged for allegedly organizing the event.

They will be charged for violation of Presidential Decree 1602.

Police said they could also be liable for violating regulations on enhanced community quarantine for organizing a mass gathering.