Only 11 persons allowed inside cockpits, police say

By Jennifer P. Rendon

 

What’s a cockfight without the raucous spectators?

Subdued as it may sound, cockfight enthusiasts will have to deal with the “unusual normal” in cockpits.

The Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) said that they will only allow 11 persons inside the cockpit arena.

Colonel Gilbert Gorero, Iloilo police chief, said this setup was the outcome of a virtual meeting of IPPO and representatives of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Iloilo province, local government units, and breeders’ association.

Under the setup, three persons will be allowed inside the cockpit ring while four representatives or caretakers of the two game fowls that will fight can watch.

Gorero stressed that no recording device, including mobile phones, would be allowed.

He said it is aligned with the government’s stand that online sabong is illegal.

Meanwhile, Gorero reiterated to chiefs of police in the province to strictly implement Executive Order No. 284 issued by Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.

The order calls for the monitoring of the operation of cockpits and the conduct of cockfighting under NIATF (National Interagency Task Force) Resolution No. 79 and DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2020-140.

In coordination with their respective local chief executives, the chiefs of police will implement the following measures:

* Conduct a regular inspection of the cockpit. The inspection shall happen right before the conduct of the cockfight;

* Assign personnel of PNP to conduct the inspection and monitor/witness the conduct of cockfight; and

* Submit a report on the conduct of cockfighting activities to the RIATF and the Province of Iloilo.

Again, Gorero said that commanders who are negligent in the execution and monitoring of cockfighting in their area of jurisdiction are to be dealt with accordingly.