COVID SPREADERS: Cockfights held in remote areas, police intensify campaign

By Jennifer P. Rendon

For the nth time, the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) stressed that illegal cockfighting, or what is locally known as pauwak and tupada, will not be tolerated.

And nothing has changed in that policy. In fact, police have widened their radar and launched an intensified campaign against this form of illegal gambling, IPPO director Colonel Gilbert Gorero said.

“We would be running after them even if they hold it in far-flung barangays,” Gorero said.

Recently, police noted that most illegal cockfights were held in villages far from the town proper.

A case in point is San Joaquin town where cockfight enthusiasts held a tupada at Barangay Tiglawa, a hinterland barangay adjacent to Hamtic town in Antique province.

But the team of Lieutenant Dionisio Estacio from the San Joaquin Police Station and the 3rd Iloilo Provincial Mobile Force Company got wind of the cockfight and arrested nine persons at the makeshift cockpit around 10 a.m. of May 27.

The suspects were identified as Ricky Santiana, 39; Joven Suriaga, 58; Jose Cabillo, 55; Antoleno Pacete, 35; Leonard Patcho, Jr., 40; Ace Oliver Conlu, 39; and Rey Dante Montanez, 34. All are residents of Hamtic town.

Also arrested were Brayan Erecilla, 39, a gaffer and Thomas Seduco, 57, both residents of Tobias Fornier, Antique.

Based on IPPO records, it has conducted 37 operations against illegal cock fighting from January 1 until May 25, 2021

These led to the arrest of 139 persons and the confiscation of P73,695 in cash bets.

Thirty-seven cases were also filed in court.

On Thursday, PNP chief General Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar directed local police units to intensify their operations against the holding of tupada or illegal cockfights in their areas.

The directive was issued after 17 persons, including a barangay captain, were arrested in Calamba, Laguna for holding a tupada and violating minimum public health safety protocols.

Even earlier, authorities stressed that the holding of tupada violates the minimum health protocol being enforced by the government.

Eleazar also reminded police officers not to get involved with illegal gambling activities, including tupada.